Training multidisciplinary biomedical informatics students: three years of experience

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Informatics
• Medical Informatics
• BioInformatics

Background:

• A successful biomedical informatics education requires both foundational science knowledge and multidisciplinary teamwork skills.
• The European INFOBIOMED Network of Excellence identified this need for comprehensive training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate novel educational activities for developing multidisciplinary skills in biomedical informatics students.
• To assess the impact of these activities on student learning and future research.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a 3-year training program including an internet course database, a summer school, a mobility program with a brokerage service, and training challenges.
• Evaluated training challenges using Likert scale questionnaires and conducted a needs assessment for the mobility program.

Main Results:

• The mobility program facilitated 20 research exchanges, leading to publications and demonstrating the feasibility of a multidisciplinary approach in the EU.
• Students reported a significant increase in their understanding and appreciation of multidisciplinary teamwork through the training challenges.

Conclusions:

• INFOBIOMED's training activities successfully promoted a multidisciplinary approach in biomedical informatics.
• This initiative aims to inspire future training efforts in Europe and cultivate a new generation of biomedical informaticians.