Enhancing interprofessional collaboration in digital health: Evaluation of a joint teaching program for computer science and health sciences students

In the digital age of health, health professionals face the major challenge of adapting to rapidly evolving digital technologies. Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) and communication are essential skills to use the potential of a digital health system and project work in Creative Labs, especially regarding high-risk projects that bring together professionals from different backgrounds for the common goal of developing innovative concepts and products. So far, too little interprofessional competence acquisition is offered at universities. In this article, we present a joint teaching program in which students of computer science and health sciences design and develop digital health projects in joint project work. The teaching program consists of different phases, including thematic basics, accompanying identification of ideas for the project work, working sessions, and final presentation of the digital health projects. We also present the teaching concept, as well as the piloting of the program and the results of its evaluation. The results point to the high potential that can unfold in IPC teaching and how important it is for future healthcare professionals to be adaptable to new technologies and IPC. Practical recommendations include considerations for joint teaching, module structure, and a brief discussion of challenges on an organizational level.