A model clinical faculty workshop program for a multisite clerkship

Over the past 20 years, the University of Washington Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has conducted twice-yearly faculty development workshops at the University for clinical faculty at community sites spread over three time zones in Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. These workshops consist of three separate parts: 1) a session to report on student clerkship performance and faculty ratings, 2) a session on curriculum and/or teaching, and 3) a session to update medical topics. Faculty found the workshops useful for improving their clinical teaching, keeping in touch with the full-time faculty, and developing a sense of cohesiveness. The department found the workshops useful in maintaining the teaching of consistent content and ensuring that all sites provide students with comparable experiences and evaluation.