Part-time faculty in academic medicine: present status and future challenges

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Academic Medicine
• Faculty Development

Background:

• Part-time faculty are increasingly prevalent in academic medical institutions.
• Understanding their characteristics and challenges is crucial for institutional support and career development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the number, demographics, professional roles, and attitudes of part-time faculty within U.S. medical school departments of medicine.
• To assess their job satisfaction and perceived barriers to career advancement.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to part-time faculty in U.S. medical schools, identified through institutional rosters and department chairs.
• A 79-item questionnaire collected data on working conditions, attitudes, and institutional policies.

Main Results:

• 245 questionnaires were returned, representing 69% of eligible part-time faculty.
• The majority (63%) were men, often combining academic roles with private practice, while women (27%) averaged fewer hours, balancing careers with family.
• Most part-time faculty (86%) held nontenure track positions, primarily focused on teaching and patient care, with limited research time. Despite challenges with promotion and perceived colleague perceptions, overall career satisfaction was high (8.6/10).

Conclusions:

• An estimated 400+ part-time faculty contribute to U.S. medical school departments of medicine.
• These faculty, predominantly men in nontenure track clinician-teacher roles, report high career satisfaction.
• Part-time status is perceived to hinder promotion and influence professional perception, despite overall job contentment.