Exploring the new model of medical innovation and entrepreneurship talent training based on biodesign in eastern China

Abstract

With the trend of economic globalization, innovation and entrepreneurship have become critical strategies for national development. College students, particularly, are a primary focus for cultivating awareness of innovation and entrepreneurship, which is essential for implementing national development strategies. The institution in eastern China has developed a program aimed at fostering medical innovation and entrepreneurship through the Biodesign framework. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this training system by surveying 479 medical students using a questionnaire designed around three stages: “identify,” “invent,” and “implement”. Factor analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, and T-tests were employed to assess the effectiveness and development pathways of the Biodesign-based cultivation of medical innovation and entrepreneurship talents. The results indicate significant improvements in students’ abilities in demand identification, demand screening, concept generation, concept selection, strategic identification, and business planning (p < 0.001), with the most notable improvement in demand identification (t = 6.383). Additionally, students have achieved notable success in writing and publishing papers and patents, as well as securing provincial and national-level awards. Particularly remarkable were the achievements in student competitions, with the number of national-level awards rising from 32 in 2019 to 66 in 2023. In conclusion, the Biodesign-based cultivation model for medical innovation and entrepreneurship has proven effective and merits further promotion among medical students.