Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Health Sciences Education: a Scoping Review

Background and purpose: This scoping review aimed to explore the connection between health education and entrepreneurship and to identify gaps in the current literature, educational models, and best practices regarding teaching medical professionals about entrepreneurship and innovation.

Methods: The methodology for this review was based on the principles of Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) model for scoping review design. Results from Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Emcare, AMED, PubMed, and Google Scholar were scanned, filtered, and mapped.

Results: Fifty-nine unique papers were found and mapped. The papers discussed common themes, including the entrepreneurial environment (n = 29), career planning and skill development (n = 3), and various skills crucial for the health entrepreneur. The satisfaction was high for most programs, but few reported more fulsome outcomes. The teaching techniques used to engage trainees or physicians in entrepreneurship were also fairly limited.

Conclusion: Though some programs are described, few have demonstrated efficacy. More attention should be paid towards faculty-level recruitment, development and reward, so that they may in turn teach these approaches. Those involved with educational planning can help close this gap.