A statewide model for faculty development in family medicine

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Family Medicine Training

Background:

• Increasing student demand for family practice residency programs has led to a greater need for qualified faculty.
• Recruiting and retaining faculty physicians is challenging due to the demands of faculty roles and orientation periods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address faculty shortages in family practice residency programs.
• To enhance the teaching, research, and administrative skills of family medicine faculty.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of a statewide Family Practice Faculty Development Center.
• Support from Texas medical schools and free-standing residency programs.
• Utilization of a multidisciplinary staff to offer diverse training programs (fellowships, preceptorships, institutes, workshops).

Main Results:

• The Faculty Development Center provides comprehensive training resources.
• Research projects are conducted to improve family medicine teaching methodologies.

Conclusions:

• The Faculty Development Center is a crucial resource for supporting and developing family practice faculty.
• Investing in faculty development is essential for meeting the growing demand for family physicians and ensuring high-quality residency training.