Teaching the Teacher: Novel Faculty Development for VA Hospitalists

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Training
• Veterans Health Administration

Background:

• The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a major health professions educator.
• Clinician educator roles in the VA are complex and challenging.
• Many VA hospitalists lack access to faculty development through traditional academic affiliates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the "Teaching the Teacher" faculty development program.
• To highlight the program's tailored approach for VA hospitalists.
• To assess the program's success in meeting VA clinician educator needs.

Main Methods:

• A facilitation-based educational series was developed.
• The program was adapted for synchronous virtual delivery.
• The series was delivered to inpatient hospitalists at VA medical centers.

Main Results:

• The program successfully transitioned to virtual delivery, enabling wider reach.
• Ten VA hospitalist sections nationwide have participated.
• The program is tailored to self-reported needs and the VA context.

Conclusions:

• VA clinicians require dedicated training for health professions education.
• "Teaching the Teacher" is a successful pilot program meeting specific VA needs.
• The program can serve as a model for onboarding and disseminating best practices among VA clinical educators.