The purpose of this initiative is to establish a structured process for the development and implementation of internal projects in the field of physical therapy. This involves identifying key challenges in education and clinical practice, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and guiding projects from initial ideation to creating functional prototypes and continuing to commercialization. The goal is to enhance both student learning outcomes and patient rehabilitation through innovative solutions that can be scaled for broader use.
The project development process at UDD follows a series of defined stages: (1) identifying problems or innovative ideas through collaboration with faculty, students, and external stakeholders, (2) conducting a thorough literature review and market research to validate the need for the project as part of the student curriculum, (3) designing and testing a minimum viable product (MVP), (4) pilot testing the MVP in real-world educational or clinical settings, and (5) create the connection to possible commercial partners. Projects are supported through internal funding and the collaboration of the university’s technology transfer office, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and the broader needs of the physical therapy field.
Several internal projects are in different stages of this process, including the implementation of tools for musculoskeletal rehabilitation and the use of technology to improve clinical reasoning skills in students. These projects have resulted in the creation of two functional prototypes, three studies sent to journals for publication, and the potential for intellectual property protection. Key outcomes include improved student engagement in experiential learning and the demonstration of effective rehabilitation tools in clinical trials.
The structured process for developing internal innovation projects at UDD has shown very promising results to be an effective model for fostering creativity and advancing physical therapy education and practice. By supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and focusing on real-world applications, this initiative contributes to the continuous improvement of both educational methodologies and patient care in the field.
The development and implementation of internal projects represents a sustainable approach to innovation in physical therapy. This process can serve as a model for other institutions looking to integrate technology, improve student outcomes, and enhance rehabilitation practices through collaborative and research-driven initiatives.
Physical Therapy Higher Education
Project Development
