69362 Innovations in Medical Technology
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Medical technology saves lives and improves quality of life by detecting diseases earlier and providing more effective treatment options for patients and the healthcare system. This subject explores how successful advances in technology not only improves access, but also better meet the needs of patients, healthcare providers, and medical scientists alike.
Innovative technologies can replace, repair, and sustain failing body functions, while telemedicine and connected devices allow remote monitoring of patient’s conditions. This includes gene therapies and editing, implantable devices, non-invasive medical technologies, AI in the field of diagnostics, robotics, and process automation.
Through insights from global medical science innovators and real-world case studies, students explore a wide range of important technological advances emerging from this dynamic and progressive field of science.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Reflect on how innovation in medical science improves healthcare outcomes. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Research and critically appraise medical technology advances, associated challenges and solutions using authentic case studies. |
| 3. | Articulate organisational approaches that optimise development, implementation, and commercialisation of medical technology innovations for improved health outcomes. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically appraise and apply advanced skills and knowledge to contribute to professional practice, leadership and scholarship relevant to medical science contexts. (1.1)
- Assess, argue for, and conduct appropriate independent research to solve complex problems contributing to a field of work or learning to address medical or health research needs. (2.1)
- Reflexively determine the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information and engage with abstract concepts to derive innovative solutions to complex medical science problems. (4.1)
- Independently and collaboratively present and communicate complex ideas and justifications using appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual and digital) to communicate with discipline experts, health and medical professionals, consumers, scientists, industry, and the community. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Innovations in Medical Technology is a Medical Science core subject for the Master in Medical Science Leadership (C04451) course. This subject links to the desired Faculty of Science graduate attributes of:
1. Disciplinary Knowledge
This subject develops knowledge of the definition and meaning of innovation, how innovation is driven and manifested within medical sciences, and how it impacts on the field. There is also some focus on medical regulations and other challenges that innovative medical technologies can face in local and global economic market contexts. Leadership attributes in the medical profession includes the need to align future vision with the lenses of current and potential realities and to consider pathways towards equitable and accessible healthcare.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Students develop their capacity to critically evaluate the challenges involved in the cycle of medical technology innovation, the effect and importance of collaboration, identification and maintenance of stakeholder relationships, and consider the value and utility of medical technologies in view of health economics and available funding models. This subject is strongly future-facing and incorporates leading research that is currently shaping the future of medical technologies through innovation. Concepts include technical, regulatory, and market realities and equity considerations in the global health context. Students evaluate how healthcare systems, providers, and support services may need to evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities of these innovations.
4. Reflection, Innovation and Creativity
New medical technologies face a number of challenges at all stages of their development. This process also generates interesting questions, such as whether the benefits of innovation outweigh risks, and whether caution is warranted when developing certain types of technologies. Through this subject, students gain an awareness of these challenges, and learn how medical science leaders and their collaborators might mitigate these risks. Activities require students to reflect on these challenges and consider creative solutions to address and overcome them in the future.
5. Communication
Active engagement in online activities and discussions are key to communication skills development in this subject. Students are assessed on their comprehension of key topics through regular online engagement opportunities. Module 1 is content-rich in exploring innovation. Students communicate to their peers and academic teachers what they have understood, engage in further research, and are encouraged to think independently about scientific innovation and the impact it has on medical practice as well as the community. Students also demonstrate that they can articulate their own personal interpretations and thoughts on key concepts clearly and professionally.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is delivered online with all subject material provided through Canvas. Each week, students will engage with the subject material, working through the prepared content and examples at their own pace. Students explore the subject-matter through a range of interactive content, media and case studies and participate in peer-connected learning activities, including formative quizzes and discussion boards, to build the required skills and knowledge in a collaborative online environment.
Assessments in this course are designed to complement student learning, providing them with opportunities to apply and monitor their skill development and grasp of essential concepts. Students receive regular, formative feedback on their work throughout the session.
Content (topics)
This subject explores the concept and applications of innovation, including the design, development, and commercialisation of medical technologies to improve health outcomes into the future. This is particularly relevant in view of aging populations and ongoing issues of unequal access to medical advances. Rich and relevant case studies of new, emerging and proposed technologies, and the histories of enduring technology innovations, are provided by international experts in relevant fields. Students think critically about the current status of innovations in medical technologies balanced with the practical realities and utilities behind future-focused proposals.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Course engagement
| Intent: | 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Approximate word lengths as specified in each discussion. |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment instructions are available in Canvas, including key criteria and grading rubrics. |
Assessment task 2: Innovation Project
| Intent: | 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | 2000-2500 words (plus references, appendices, graphics and tables etc.) |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment instructions are available in Canvas, including key criteria and grading rubrics. |
Assessment task 3: Reflection on Learning
| Intent: | 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 750 words |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment instructions are available in Canvas, including key criteria and grading rubrics. |
References
Kanegaonkar, R. G., & Tysome, J. R. (Eds.). (2023). Medical innovation: concepts, delivery and the future of healthcare. CRC Press.
Kechagioglou, P. (2023). Healthcare innovation success: learning from organisational experience (1st ed. 2023.). Springer Nature Switzerland AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28353-6
Laurie, G. T., et al. (Eds.). (2021). The Cambridge Handbook of Health Research Regulation. Cambridge University Press eBooks, Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108620024
Melnyk, B. M., & Raderstorf, T. (Eds.). (2021). Evidence-based leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship in nursing and healthcare?: a practical guide to success. Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
Rothwell, W. J., & Gliddon, D. G. (Eds.). (2018). Innovation leadership (1st edition). Routledge, an imprint of Taylor and Francis.
Satell, G. (2017). Mapping innovation: a playbook for navigating a disruptive age. McGraw-Hill Education.