The Learning Link: How Education Connects Research and Patient Care

Think of Carle Foundation Hospital's new mission statement as a triangle. One side is research and the other is patient care. But without the third side, the triangle isn’t complete.

What is the missing link? It’s education.

Education has always been important to Carle.  It plays a vital role in connecting research and quality care.  Education has a direct impact on patient care and safety. But it also gives us the necessary communication skills to pass knowledge on to the next generation of healthcare providers. And it’s a crucial tool in making the leap from innovation to invention.

A Team Effort

Growing as a learning institution requires teamwork.  That’s why there is tremendous collaboration between Carle’s four education departments:

• Continuing Medical Education
• Clinical Education
• Graduate Medical Education
• Management/Staff Education

These departments work together on staff, management, nursing, physician and resident training and education.   Carle offers many avenues for growth. Physicians and clinical staff can select from a variety of medical education classes.  All staff can take advantage of a diverse array of work skills courses offered through on-site and community-based programs.  And our residency program provides tomorrow’s practicing physicians a place to develop their skills.

Even with these opportunities, we are expanding and enhancing the learning possibilities at Carle in order to bring knowledge gained from research into the patient’s room.