A Cross-Sectoral Approach to Innovation in Public Health
Abstract
Background
Public health tends to be siloed and reactive in solving new and existing problems. Innovation and the development of novel approaches requires cross-sectoral collaboration and thinking. The intentional development of new ideas and actionable programs is key to responding to emerging challenges. Immersive Innovation Labs is a guided approach to innovation focused on multidisciplinary collaboration and the creation of actionable solutions.
Methods
11 public health professionals and 12 student coaches participated in a 10-day Public Health Innovation Summit. Collaborative learning sessions, research, and guided innovation sessions were accompanied by interviews to gauge participant’s knowledge about and attitudes towards developing and implementing innovative solutions within the public health field. Interviews were analyzed for common themes using AI and influential concepts were identified using network analysis software. Follow-up interviews were conducted with participants and coaches 2 years later to determine the impact that the innovation training had on their careers and approach to problem solving.
Results
Participants of the summit developed 11 pilot programs. 28 interviews and a post-summit feedback session revealed a shift in topical focus by betweenness centrality. Prior to the summit, participants focused on public health programming and actions (top 43% most influential nodes). After completing the innovation summit, participants shifted focus away from public health (top 6% most influential nodes) to the impact these techniques would have in their workplace, the creative approaches to problem solving, and the new connections made during the summit.
Conclusion
Immersive Innovative Labs is an effective methodology for reframing the approach public health professionals have to solving new and existing problems. Guided coaching and cross-sectoral collaboration lead to innovation, producing new approaches and ideas. This technique has been effective in shaping mindsets beyond the session and has meaningfully impacted the career of participants.
Keywords
Innovation, Multidisciplinary, Collaboration, Professional Development
A Cross-Sectoral Approach to Innovation in Public Health
Background
Public health tends to be siloed and reactive in solving new and existing problems. Innovation and the development of novel approaches requires cross-sectoral collaboration and thinking. The intentional development of new ideas and actionable programs is key to responding to emerging challenges. Immersive Innovation Labs is a guided approach to innovation focused on multidisciplinary collaboration and the creation of actionable solutions.
Methods
11 public health professionals and 12 student coaches participated in a 10-day Public Health Innovation Summit. Collaborative learning sessions, research, and guided innovation sessions were accompanied by interviews to gauge participant’s knowledge about and attitudes towards developing and implementing innovative solutions within the public health field. Interviews were analyzed for common themes using AI and influential concepts were identified using network analysis software. Follow-up interviews were conducted with participants and coaches 2 years later to determine the impact that the innovation training had on their careers and approach to problem solving.
Results
Participants of the summit developed 11 pilot programs. 28 interviews and a post-summit feedback session revealed a shift in topical focus by betweenness centrality. Prior to the summit, participants focused on public health programming and actions (top 43% most influential nodes). After completing the innovation summit, participants shifted focus away from public health (top 6% most influential nodes) to the impact these techniques would have in their workplace, the creative approaches to problem solving, and the new connections made during the summit.
Conclusion
Immersive Innovative Labs is an effective methodology for reframing the approach public health professionals have to solving new and existing problems. Guided coaching and cross-sectoral collaboration lead to innovation, producing new approaches and ideas. This technique has been effective in shaping mindsets beyond the session and has meaningfully impacted the career of participants.
