Griffith Business School (GBS), in collaboration with Gold Coast Health, Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, and the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland initiative, has launched an innovative program called the Clinician Entrepreneurship Change Agent Program (CECAP). Officially launched on Monday 15 May, the Program aims to empower clinician entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in driving healthcare transformation through the development and commercialisation of new digital health and medical technologies.
Co-developed by expert clinicians and business professionals, the Program offers a comprehensive range of resources and support to clinicians interested in becoming change agents within the healthcare sector. The program has already received an overwhelming response, with over 140 expressions of interest from clinicians eager to participate.
CECAP consists of three components. The first is the Business Literacy Skills program, a self-paced digital course that equips clinicians with essential financial, legal, and operational literacy skills. By enabling clinicians to speak the language of both business and medicine, this program encourages effective communication and collaboration across disciplines.
The second component is a bespoke 7-part CECAP workshop series, delivered in two blocks. This workshop guides clinicians through various stages of the entrepreneurial process, from idea discovery and evaluation to business model development and pitching their ideas to diverse audiences. The worksh
ops provide participants with practical tools and strategies to transform their innovative concepts into viable business ventures.
The third component focuses on commercialisation, targeting clinicians who have validated ideas ready for market entry. This component provides clinicians with the necessary knowledge and resources to navigate the complexities of commercialisation successfully. Mentoring, an Expert in Residence, and the opportunity to collaborate with student interns further enhance the support available to participants in the program.
Professor Naomi Birdthistle of GBS’ Department of Business, Strategy and Innovation highlighted the program’s potential to foster high-quality patient experiences while aligning with organizational goals.
“By engaging with the program, clinicians become catalysts for positive change within the healthcare industry. Their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial mindset have the potential to improve healthcare outcomes, enhance cost-effective medicine, and create high-value job opportunities.”
The development of CECAP was made possible through a $200,000 Advance Queensland Grant. With the initial success and interest generated, Professor Birdthistle is now exploring avenues to expand the program further, ensuring that more clinicians can benefit from this transformative initiative.
To find out more about the program visit the website https://gchkp.com.au/clinical-entrepreneurship/
