Industry Electives in Clinical Informatics Fellowship: Early Experiences from a Multi-Institution Survey

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Medical Education
• Health Information Technology

Background:

• Clinical Informatics (CI) fellowship training focuses on health information systems but often lacks industry exposure.
• Industry settings are key innovation hubs, yet CI fellows have limited experience in these environments.
• The structure, value, and challenges of industry electives in CI training are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize industry electives in CI fellowship programs.
• To assess the perceived value and logistical hurdles of these rotations.
• To synthesize best practices for integrating industry experiences into CI training.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed current and former CI fellows and program directors from two accredited programs.
• Analyzed free-text responses from fellows completing at least four weeks of industry electives.
• Utilized inductive thematic analysis and consensus-driven processes to identify practical considerations.

Main Results:

• Fellows gained skills and exposure to technologies/workflows unavailable in academic settings.
• Logistical barriers included limited institutional support, short durations, and complex legal agreements.
• Electives resulted in tangible deliverables (dashboards, tools) and significant professional networking, influencing career paths.

Conclusions:

• Industry electives offer career-shaping experiences for CI fellows, bridging academia and industry innovation.
• Clear objectives, aligned competencies, and institutional support are vital for successful industry rotations.
• These experiences enhance CI training, preparing fellows for diverse roles in healthcare and technology.