Current status and challenges of faculty development in Korean medical education and strategies for advancement

Medical school professors take on many roles, including teaching, research, service, and practice, and are expected to evolve through their work and activities both on and off campus. At the same time, they are expected to gradually develop essential competencies as educators through faculty development (FD). However, FD does not yet cover the entire spectrum of faculty roles and does not adequately address the diverse characteristics of medical school faculty. In light of the recent interest in FD in Korean medical schools and an increasing number of articles on FD, I here review the history of and recent articles about FD in Korea. I also suggest seven short- and long-term strategies to overcome the major challenges facing FD, with the aim of helping to revitalize and advance FD in Korean medical schools and FD institutions.