Promotion Preparation Tips for Academic Family Medicine Educators

Michelle K. Keating, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health-Wake Forest Baptist, Winston-Salem, NC.
Magdalena Pasarica, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
Mark B. Stephens, Penn State College of Medicine, State College, PA.
Joanna Drowos, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL.
Amy Clithero-Eridon, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM.
Jennifer Hartmark-Hill, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ.
Maria Syl de la Cruz, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
Matthew Holley, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
Vicki Hayes, Tufts University School of Medicine/Maine Medical Center, Boston, MA.
Andrea Berry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
Kimberly S. Schiel, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO.
Frances E. Biagioli, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Promotion has historically valued the scholarship of discovery over the scholarship of teaching. The clinician-educator promotion pathway is an attractive option for academic family physicians engaged in significant teaching. However, clinician-educators are less often promoted than peers on other tracks. Family medicine educators face unique challenges in promotion due to clinical requirements and often less guidance on how to meet promotion criteria. Promotion recognizes achievements of faculty and is often tied to higher base salary. We aimed to identify promotion preparation tips for academic family medicine educators. METHODS: We surveyed members of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Medical Student Education Collaborative electronically on promotion preparation lessons learned in (1) curriculum vitae preparation, (2) personal statement preparation, (3) selecting external reviewers, and (4) identifying measurable achievements. This qualitative study used grounded theory and constant comparison. RESULTS: Fourteen individuals from 13 medical institutions responded with tips for success in promotion preparation. The tips identified actionable steps for promotion preparation of academic family medicine educators. Several main themes emerged, including the importance of timely and thorough documentation, detailed planning, and being knowledgeable about institutional-specific criteria early. CONCLUSIONS: The tips provided in this study support family medicine educators in preparing for promotion and can be used as a tool for mentors, chairs and faculty development.