A theory-based faculty development program for clinician-educators

This essay describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a theory-based faculty development program for physician-educators in medicine and pediatrics at The Cleveland Clinic. The program comprises a 12-hour course (focused on skills in precepting, bedside teaching, leading small-group discussions, giving lectures, designing curricula, and giving effective feedback); onsite coaching of teaching (on wards, in outpatient clinics, or in formal lectures); and innovative projects in clinical medical education. The program advocates and demonstrates a tailored-teaching approach combined with learner-centered, interactive, experiential, and reflective teaching strategies. The evaluation of the program includes satisfaction ratings, self-assessment of teaching competencies, and independent ratings of reaching effectiveness by the participants' trainees (medical students, residents, and fellows). The program is rated highly shows significant improvements in teaching skills as measured by both participants' self assessments and independent ratings by participants' trainees, and is ongoing.