Blazing A Trail in Medical Education
Are there advanced training options available for those interested in medical education?
The AGA Academy of Educators (https://www.gastro.org/about/initiatives/aga-academy-of-educators)3 is a wonderful resource for networking. It has a competitive process for educational project grants as well as faculty development sessions and networking events at DDW®. There are also national leadership academies in medicine that have a focus in medical education. The Harvard Macy Institute is one such opportunity. Many medical schools have their own academies to support educators and teachers. I have been privileged to be one of the co-leaders of the AGA Future Leaders Program (https://www.gastro.org/about/initiatives/aga-future-leaders-program) and those with a niche interest in education can benefit and pursue related projects.4 One group was successful in publishing an educational article after completing the Future Leaders program.5 There are also several master’s programs for further education and training in educational theory. Some of these programs are available online or largely online, with limited requirements for onsite classes.
How do you go about finding a job in medical education?
First of all, you have to do your “day job.” In order to be a credible medical clinician-educator you must have clinical experience in patient care. It is important for the first years of your career to make sure that you have at least 70% clinical roles that can be reduced over time to accommodate advancing educational responsibilities. Get involved in teaching fellows. If you are in a practice, reach out to your local medical school or hospital to see how you might participate in educational programs. If you are in an academic setting, meet with the deans in education to express your interest and look for opportunities to get involved in an area of interest. If you are in academia, you have to make your work “count twice:” being productive in a scholarly way is not only important as a role model for learners, but it is important for you as a faculty member to grow and advance in your professional career.
It is always wise to think about when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” An important point is not to overextend yourself. Your reputation of completing tasks not only well, but on time, and thoroughly, is critical to your success. This includes making sure your learner evaluations are submitted on time, that you complete the administrative work in order to participate in CME programs, and that you honor your commitments by attending committee meetings.
What are the resources available to early-career GIs interested in medical education?
It is easy to find resources within your practice, your institution, or externally. The AGA has many resources available with a good start being the AGA Academy of Educators. Opportunities for creativity are numerous and with new advances in team-based learning, simulation, and interprofessional learning, there are new areas for involvement evolving all the time.6,7
Finally, pursuing a career in education is exciting, fun, and fulfilling. Having the opportunity to influence learners, which in turn will impact patient care, is an awesome privilege.
Dr. Rose is a professor of medicine and senior associate dean for education at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
References
1. Gusic M, et al. MedEdPORTAL; 2013. Available from: https://www.mededportal.org/publication/9313.
2. Gusic ME, et al. Acad Med. 2014;89(7):1006-11.
3. Pfeil SA, et al. Gastroenterology 2015;149(6):1309-14.
4. Cryer B, Rose S. Gastroenterology 2015;149:246-8.
5. Shah BJ, et al. Gastroenterology 2016;151(2):218-21.
6. Shah BJ, Rose S. Gastroenterology 2012;142:684-9.
7. Shah BJ, Rose S. AGA Perspectives 2012;April-May:20-21.
