It's All in the Mix: A New Interprofessional, Blended-Learning Masters' Program for Biomedical Data Science Addressing Physicians and Students from Life Sciences - Didactic Concept and First Experiences.

Abstract

Progress in methods for biomedical research, such as multi-omics analyses and in data-driven healthcare, such as new procedures in diagnostic imaging lead, along with the rising availability of additional data sources, to a growing demand for experts in biomedical data analysis. Addressing this need in academic education and the challenge of interdisciplinary teamwork in the biomedical domain, the authors have designed and implemented a new Master's program for biomedical data science that accepts students with different educational backgrounds, medical doctors, veterinarians and students with a Bachelor's degree in life sciences, and incorporates blended learning. This paper aims to present the didactic concept of the program, report on feedback from the students and first evaluation results, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this approach. Our results show that the program is well-accepted by the students, who stress the benefits of working in interprofessional teams, the option for part-time study along with their jobs with flexible learning opportunities, and of good and intensive interaction offers with their peers and teachers. Readjustments are necessary to improve tutoring support and alignment of content among distinct modules and to decrease workload peaks. While our evaluation results are still preliminary, we are convinced that our approach of mostly online offers, yet with a strong focus on teamwork, practical exercises guided by experts and communication skills, may serve to educate students to be well-prepared for their future tasks and operations in biomedical data science, in research, clinical care and industry.