It all started with a client conversation: “Our core value is putting the patient first and ensuring every employee supports that journey, but we don’t do a good job of teaching that from a learning perspective,” said the academy head of a clinical research organization. “Our talent base needs to understand how patients experience a clinical trial; what it means to be diagnosed, treated, and entered into a trial; and the stress that comes with it.” 

Other learning and development leaders echoed this pain point and emphasized the need for a comprehensive program that provides a 360-degree view of the health care system in the United States.

HealthXcelerate, a new self-paced, online learning program developed by Harvard Medical School (HMS), provides a holistic view of the U.S. health care ecosystem. This program was designed for professionals regardless of their backgrounds or experience in the industry.

“We’re so pleased to introduce HealthXcelerate, designed to empower professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the evolving landscape of the health care industry,” said Josh Brand, senior director of HMS Corporate Learning. “With this innovative resource, we’re committed to fostering continuous learning and equipping the community with the tools to drive positive change in health care delivery and patient outcomes.”

In 2024, organizations looking to upskill their teams or groups of learners will have access to four HealthXcelerate courses, with two following in early 2025, including:

• Foundations of the U.S. Health Care System
• Principles and Practice of Health Care Delivery
• Social Determinants of Health
• Health Care Policy and Economics
• Population Health and Disease Dynamics
• Drug Development from Discover Through Approval

Each course will equip participants with knowledge and perspectives on foundational health care topics—such as the payer system, stakeholder perspectives, and population health. Equally important, it will equip learners with the information and the confidence to apply these concepts in their specific roles to support both individual and organizational goals. Upon completion of six courses, learners will earn a Harvard Medical School certificate.

What Sets HealthXcelerate Apart? 

Centering Patient Journeys: Each lesson weaves in a specific patient journey to exemplify the concept being taught. This helps ensure that learners gain a visceral understanding of the struggles patients go through in navigating the health care system: the ups and downs, the inconsistencies, and the uncertainties.

Engaging Learning: The program is designed to engage today’s busy working professionals in a convenient, high-impact format. Courses include live-action videos, interactive scenarios, and knowledge checks to keep learners engrossed and emphasize key concepts.

Real-Life Scenarios: The HealthXcelerate program utilizes problem-based learning and interactive exercises to ensure that learners can effectively employ the new concepts that they learn to their day-to-day role.

Taught by Harvard Medical School Faculty: Faculty experts from HMS cover key topics fundamental to truly understanding the multifaceted U.S. health care landscape. In addition, each lesson includes references to international health care systems so that learners can understand how the U.S. compares to other global regions.

Learning Beyond the Classroom: To strengthen comprehension and increase the usability of the lessons, each HealthXcelerate course includes a “Briefcase,” a comprehensive study guide that includes a summary of key points, questions to prompt reflections, and a glossary of terms. Additionally, organizations and teams will have access to an expansive facilitation guide providing activities and discussions for leaders and managers to utilize in leading team discussions.

“We designed HealthXcelerate to empower learners to make a positive impact on the health care industry and, ultimately, on the patients served. Through thoughtful learning design and interactive content, we’re redefining the learning experience and empowering individuals to explore the complexities of health care in a dynamic and engaging manner,” said Joanne Muller, senior director of product development for HMS’ Office of External Education. “This program represents our commitment to pushing the boundaries of education and fostering a new era of excellence in training.”

HealthXcelerate: The Insider’s Guide to Health Care is currently available for companies and organizations looking to enroll teams and groups. Upon completion of six courses within the program, learners will earn a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School. Learn more about available courses and how to access this new learning opportunity for your team.