Effect of a teaching skills program on faculty skills and confidence.
BACKGROUND
Although education is a central mission of medical schools, effectiveness of faculty as teachers is variable, with many faculty lacking formal training. Therefore, a series of sessions around teaching skills was developed.


OBJECTIVE
To improve the skill, confidence, and comfort levels of faculty who teach general pediatrics.


METHODS
A faculty development program consisting of nine 1-hour sessions on a variety of topics and a 3-hour workshop on Feedback and Evaluation was provided to all faculty members in a single academic division. The program was evaluated with a needs assessment and a quantitative postprogram self-assessment. A qualitative e-mail survey was performed 3 years after completion to assess durability.


RESULTS
The 13 full-time faculty members (10 women) in the Community and General Pediatrics Division attended a mean of 6.5 sessions each (range 4-10). All 13 participants completed the 22-item postprogram survey regarding comfort with and knowledge of teaching techniques. Statistically significant change was seen for all items. Comments from the open-response section reflected specific improvement in the area of feedback and the need for increased time to focus on teaching. Responses to the follow-up survey (46% response rate) were positive about the program in general and about the continued use of the skills that were learned in the program.


CONCLUSIONS
Busy general pediatric faculty attended a majority of sessions in a faculty development program on teaching. Skill and comfort levels significantly improved in many of the areas covered, and the skills were still being used 3 years later.
Barratt
Michelle S
MS
University of Texas-Houston, Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. michelle.s.barratt@uth.tmc.edu
Moyer
Virginia A
VA
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States