New faculty training program offered by MSUCOM Statewide Campus System and ACGME

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Hallmark partnership to support the lifelong learning of faculty and enhance the clinical education of residents

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (MSUCOM) robust Statewide Campus System (SCS) has long been recognized for excellence in graduate medical education. Now, a first-in-the-country faculty training program opens even more opportunities for faculty in the SCS, enhancing the educational experience of residents and students.

SCS’ new certificate program, Teaching Excellence in Academic Medicine (TEAM), is a partnership with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the accreditation entity for residency and fellowship programs in the United States that sets standards for graduate medical education nationwide.

The Statewide Campus System at the college is an educational consortium with 29 affiliated hospitals and medical centers, offering teaching and learning resources to nearly 2,000 residents and 2,500 teaching faculty statewide. The SCS develops and implements simulation events for residents in various residency programs, and offers lectures, didactics and certificate programs for residents and faculty. The recently launched TEAM certificate program falls under the faculty development program.

Annual faculty development is now an ACGME program requirement to enhance the competence of educators and support continuous reflection, self-improvement and lifelong learning. As seen with COVID-19, the medical field is rapidly changing, so it is critical that educators stay in touch with evolving teachings in health care, said Deb Young, Pharm.D., BCPS, director of faculty professional development for the MSUCOM SCS.

Creating a faculty training program in partnership with the ACGME adds “validity, credibility and ensures that the program includes all required components for faculty to meet,” said Patricia Obando, Ph.D., assistant dean for the MSUCOM SCS. “We are the only institution and consortium to have this kind of partnership, which speaks to the recognition of MSUCOM as an institution leading the way in high-quality medical education.  ”

The certificate program is a 10-month course, meeting monthly in two- to three-hour virtual sessions, which extends SCS’ reach to benefit hundreds of participants in all 29 institutions statewide. The course sessions consist of self-reflection, learning activities and one-on-one coaching and observation led by highly skilled facilitators.

At the end of the first year of the program — which started in August 2022 and ends in June 2023 — participants will be evaluated on improvement between the pre- and post-assessment of teaching milestones. In the assessment, participants rate themselves on a set of clinician educator milestones outlined by the ACGME, and reflect on their ratings.

Dr. Young notes the importance of supporting faculty in self-improvement. The TEAM program will help faculty sharpen their skills in mentoring residents and providing constructive feedback. The team hopes to disseminate the program more broadly with the ACGME and SCS seal on it, with the goal of “creating effective, valuable educators that will advance the clinical learning environment,” Dr. Young said. “This is an investment in residents and faculty in making sure they are effective in health care delivery.”

Dr. Obando credits the strong SCS team for offering quality education, mentorship and other resources and opportunities, despite factors such as COVID-19 and a changing health care environment.

Learn more about the TEAM program and other development opportunities provided by the MSUCOM SCS.

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