How best can faculty development support teachers in clinical settings?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Faculty Development
• Clinical Reasoning

Background:

• Standardizing clinical teaching across multiple sites is challenging.
• Faculty development is crucial for maintaining high-quality clinical education.
• Effective teaching strategies are essential for medical trainees.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a faculty development program focused on clinical reasoning skills.
• To evaluate the transfer of newly acquired teaching knowledge into practice.
• To identify factors supporting a faculty development culture.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year faculty development program was implemented.
• A follow-up study used self-assessment questionnaires.
• Data were collected 1-5 months post-program.

Main Results:

• Almost 50% of participants transferred newly acquired knowledge into their teaching.
• The program targeted clinical reasoning skills development.
• Participant self-assessment indicated knowledge application.

Conclusions:

• Faculty development programs can enhance clinical teaching.
• A supportive culture is vital for successful faculty development.
• Transfer of knowledge into practice is achievable with targeted programs.