Faculty Doing More with Less: A Technology Initiative Realized Through a Structured Process

Area of Science:

• Educational Technology
• Health Informatics
• Academic Medicine

Background:

• Implementing new educational technologies faces institutional barriers, particularly for institutions lacking specialized support.
• Faculty are increasingly expected to manage more with fewer resources, highlighting the need for faculty-driven solutions.

Observation:

• A faculty member identified the need for an academic electronic health record (EHR).
• A structured approach was employed to research options, engage faculty, and gain administrative approval.
• The faculty champion managed the implementation and continuous quality improvement of the academic EHR.

Findings:

• A single faculty member's structured process facilitated the adoption of academic EHR technology across multiple programs.
• The process proved replicable, as demonstrated by another faculty member successfully using it.
• The implemented academic EHR was positively received by administrators, faculty, and students.

Implications:

• Faculty can successfully introduce significant technological projects with limited institutional support.
• This faculty-led initiative can foster a cultural shift, encouraging more faculty to drive change and innovation.
• The structured approach serves as a model for future faculty-led technology implementations in academic settings.