Rewarding medical student teaching

Scholarship in academic medicine includes the discovery of new knowledge as well as the integration, application, and teaching of existing knowledge. Although all components are vital, the rewards for each may vary considerably. Many medical educators have recommended that the teaching of medical students be given the same level of esteem traditionally awarded to research and patient care, and that the same level of excellence must be expected from teachers as from researchers and clinicians. Common facets of three successful reward systems in place include documenting quality as well as quantity; rewarding all excellent teachers, not just "the best"; and publicizing the rewards to students, peers, and administrators.