Journal article
Cultivating an evidence-based innovation mindset in health professions
Education and Training, Vol.68(10), pp.103-123
2026
Abstract
Purpose: Healthcare is a rapidly evolving field that demands allied health professionals who are both innovative and grounded in evidence-based practice. This study addresses the growing need to prepare allied health professionals to lead and drive innovation by conceptualising the dimensions of an evidence-based innovation mindset, evaluating the extent to which a targeted educational intervention cultivates this mindset among allied health students, and outlining the pedagogical implications.
Design/methodology/approach: Using evaluation research, 52 quantitative survey responses were collected before and after the intervention, and 21 interviews were conducted after the intervention. Data were analysed using inferential statistics and reflexive thematic analysis and synthesised to explore students’ perceived changes in their evidence-based innovation mindset.
Findings: Survey results revealed significant differences for four dimensions of the evidence-basedinnovation mindset, specifically increases in individual entrepreneurial orientation, innovation selfefficacy, persistence, and research competence. The increase in learning orientation was not statistically significant. The latent themes revealed how participants gradually developed confidence as innovators and researchers through hands-on experience. They valued authentic innovation underpinned by persistence and flexible thinking, recognised the reciprocal relationship between research and innovation, and reported feeling capable of making real-world impacts in their future
careers using innovation and research skills.
Originality/value: The study conceptualises an evidence-based innovation mindset for the allied health professions. It demonstrates the value of cultivating this mindset through an experiential problem-based intervention, highlighting the pedagogical need to renew healthcare curricula by incorporating evidence-based innovation.
Details
- Title
- Cultivating an evidence-based innovation mindset in health professions
- Authors
- Michèle Verdonck (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastKirsty Stafford - University of the Sunshine CoastKerri-Anne Von Deest - University of the Sunshine CoastLaine Chilman - University of the Sunshine CoastMargarietha J de Villiers Scheepers - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- Education and Training, Vol.68(10), pp.103-123
- Publisher
- Emerald Publishing Limited
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1108/ET-04-2025-0271
- ISSN
- 1758-6127
- Copyright note
- © Michele Verdonck, Kirsty Stafford, Kerri-Anne Von Deest, Laine Chilman and Margarietha Johanna de Villiers Scheepers. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/.
- Grants
- Youth Engagement in Sustainability (YES) Research Initiative, 0980027715, Queensland Department of Environment and Science (Australia, Brisbane)
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries; Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nursing; School of Health - Occupational Therapy; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991216246602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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