Sara Marcelino Morgado, MS.c., University of Beira Interior, C-MAST—Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, Department of Electromechanical Engineering, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001, Portugal, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nathalia Suchek, Ph.D., University of Beira Interior, NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, Department of Management and Economics, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001, Portugal, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Arminda do Paço, Ph.D., University of Beira Interior, NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, Department of Management and Economics, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001, Portugal, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ricardo Gouveia Rodrigues, Ph.D., University of Beira Interior, NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, Department of Management and Economics, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001, Portugal, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in health organizations can equip professionals to identify innovative opportunities to improve service quality. With the complexity and fast-evolving environment of the healthcare industry, along with the common pressure to increase efficiency, more attention has been paid to entrepreneurial endeavors. This paper arises from the need to identify useful entrepreneurship curricular content and modes of delivery that align with students’ and graduates’ training needs and experts’ viewpoints. The study also combines expert insights on entrepreneurship and healthcare sector trends to provide a tailored, empirical pedagogical framework that moves beyond previous generic and comparative approaches. METHODOLOGY: A survey of 227 students and graduates from five countries was conducted. Exploratory descriptive and cluster analyses were performed. Moreover, to identify current trends and challenges in the healthcare sector, as well as relevant topics for a training program to foster entrepreneurship, focus group sessions were conducted in these countries. FINDINGS: The study results provide a pedagogical framework for the modules of the training program proposal, taking into account the main challenges and trends of the healthcare sector, while also identifying the skills, pedagogical methods, preferred delivery mode, assessment, and certification. IMPLICATIONS: This study contributes to entrepreneurship education theory by providing a sector-specific perspective on how skills and pedagogical approaches shape entrepreneurial development in healthcare. From a practical standpoint, the study offers evidence-based guidance for designing health entrepreneurship curricula that integrate business, digital, regulatory, and interpersonal skills through real-world projects, mentorship, and ecosystem collaboration. ORIGINALITY & VALUE: By combining quantitative and qualitative data from students, graduates, and experts, this research provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of training needs in healthcare innovation and an evidence-informed proposed framework.

Keywords: entrepreneurship, pedagogical framework, healthcare, skills development, training program, higher education.