Strategic planning in academic medicine: a departmental case study analysis

Family medicine departments face a variety of external and internal pressures that make astute planning imperative. A systematic planning process produces measurable outcomes, timetables to evaluate results, and assignments for individual responsibility. Strategic planning is discussed as it occurred during a year-long planning process in a family medicine department. Through the use of an external consultant and through the efforts of the department's division directors, a set of plans were written and approved for the residency program, clinical services, predoctoral education, geriatric education, research and development section, and the administration of the department. The consultation and strategic planning procedure produced a candid analysis of the department's strengths and growth needs, and specified the contributions that will be needed by all faculty to achieve the organization's goals.