Some venues that may be ideal for new clinician educators include continuing medical education lectures and teaching sessions for general providers in the community. These create opportunities for outreach to other clinicians, exposure to teaching in a new environment and the chance to build a curriculum vitae.
Dr. Cron notes that division directors should grade their own success by how well they are able to assist their faculty members in achieving promotions. Efforts to increase name recognition can begin regionally and then can expand to national and international opportunities. It is important for clinician educators to collect data on their teaching, including through electronic evaluations, which can then be analyzed and be made part of a learning portfolio. Having an electronic teaching portfolio can be helpful in giving tangible examples of teaching materials and products, which can then be evaluated by promotion committees. In addition, directing a medical school or residency course can allow for advancement, particularly if learning outcomes can be measured and the positive effects of a new curriculum can be demonstrated.
In Sum
With the number of clinician educators on the rise in divisions across the country, it was a breath of fresh air to hear how these educators can and should be supported and what will allow for this positive trend to continue in the years to come.
Jason Liebowitz, MD, completed his fellowship in rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, where he also earned his medical degree. He is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
