Evaluation of the Processes and Outcomes of a Physician Leadership Program: The Continuous Feedback Loop Design

Physicians assume leadership roles in their health care organizations and practices often without support or training. The Physicians Leadership Academy provides integrated leadership seminars, mindfulness training, and executive coaching in a 10-month curriculum to physicians across area organizations.

Program evaluators responded to stakeholders' need for continuous program improvement by developing a continuous feedback loop evaluation design incorporating a program monitoring system and a theory-driven program evaluation. Given the size of the 2019 to 20 cohort ( n = 19), a one-group pretest/posttest design was used to assess the mechanisms of the program (mindfulness and wellbeing) along with knowledge development, emotional intelligence, and personal and professional growth. The assessments used a combination of published and administrator-developed assessments to address the unique aspects of the program. Doing such ensured continuous improvement and sustainability for the program.

The cohort of physicians demonstrated significant engagement and learning across the curriculum, improved mindfulness, and improved capacity of the providers to affect their health care system and communities.

The utility of the program was demonstrated through quantitative and qualitative analyses. Implications of the methodology for future evaluations of program developments are discussed.