Case study: How Medtronic Trains 450,000 HCPs Globally

A  report from Medtronic highlights a massive shift in how medical technology leaders approach customer education. The old adage of medical training—"see one, do one, teach one", is rapidly becoming obsolete. As surgical procedures move toward minimally invasive techniques and robotics, the complexity of the skills required has outpaced traditional apprenticeship models.

Medtronic recognized that asking healthcare professionals (HCPs) to fly to centralized training centers was no longer scalable or sufficient. Instead, they flipped the model on its head. By combining a massive digital learning footprint with high-tech mobile simulation labs, they brought the classroom to the clinician. The initiative wasn't just about convenience; it was about standardizing care and accelerating the adoption of life-saving technologies across the globe.

This case study was originally published on Medtronic News.

The Challenge

How do you scale complex surgical training without compromising quality?

The medical device industry faces a unique friction point: product adoption relies entirely on user competency. If a surgeon isn't confident in a new procedure or device, they won't use it. For decades, the industry relied on flying doctors to specialized facilities for weekend workshops. While effective, this model hit a ceiling.

• Geographic friction: Doctors are incredibly busy. Taking days off for travel reduces the time they can spend with patients. This friction limits the number of HCPs who can access advanced training.
• The complexity gap: Minimally invasive surgery and robotic-assisted procedures have steep learning curves. A single weekend session is rarely enough to build the muscle memory required for safe implementation.
• Scalability limits: There are only so many physical training centers and expert proctors available. Scaling up meant building more brick-and-mortar facilities, which is slow and capital-intensive.

Medtronic needed a way to democratize access to high-quality education. They needed to move from an event-based training model to an always-on ecosystem that could support learners at every stage of their journey, regardless of where they were located.

The Solution

A hybrid ecosystem of global digital access and mobile simulation

To solve the access problem, Medtronic didn't just digitize their manuals; they built a comprehensive learning infrastructure that spans the digital and physical worlds. This hybrid approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is accessible instantly, while practical skills are honed through high-fidelity simulation delivered directly to the hospital door.

Medtronic Academy: The Digital Backbone

At the core of their strategy is the Medtronic Academy. This isn't just a content repository; it is a robust Learning Management System (LMS) designed for external professionals. Medtronic Academy provides over 450,000 registered learners access to product, procedure, and therapy trainings globally. By centralizing this content, Medtronic ensures that every surgeon, regardless of location, has access to the same standardized best practices.

Mobile Labs: The Physical Delivery

Digital learning covers the "what" and "why," but surgery requires the "how." To bridge the physical gap, Medtronic deployed Mobile Labs. These aren't standard delivery trucks; they are 17,000-pound portable simulation centers. Once parked, the sides expand to create a 1,000-square-foot climate-controlled workspace equipped with the latest surgical simulators.

• Simulated environments: The trucks mimic real operating rooms, allowing teams to train on procedures without risking patient safety.
• Remote proctoring: Leveraging tools like Touch Surgery™ Enterprise, the labs utilize AI and video management to allow experts to guide trainees remotely, further reducing the need for travel.
• On-site convenience: The labs travel directly to hospitals, allowing surgeons to train between shifts rather than booking flights.
  

The Results

Unprecedented reach and standardized care

By removing the barriers of travel and scheduling, Medtronic has achieved engagement numbers that dwarf traditional medical education programs. The shift to a "customer-centric" education model, where the training comes to the learner, has proven to be a massive growth driver.

• Massive digital adoption: Medtronic Academy now hosts over 450,000 registered learners globally, creating a continuous engagement loop with their customer base.
• Rapid mobile scaling: In just the first year, the Mobile Labs trained over 2,000 healthcare professionals.
• Broad geographic coverage: The mobile units covered 38 states, bringing advanced training to rural and community hospitals that might otherwise be left behind.
• Standardized outcomes: By owning the end-to-end education stack, Medtronic ensures that a surgeon in a rural clinic receives the same foundational training as one in a major metropolitan teaching hospital.

This hybrid model proves that customer education is no longer just a support function, it is a strategic engine for product adoption and market expansion.

Next steps

• Study: Understanding Coursera’s 2025 Learner Outcomes Report
• Study: eLearning Translation is Getting Replaced by AI Localization
• Book your demo to see how to get the same results with Qurioos.