title: Peer support of a faculty "writers' circle" increases confidence and productivity in generating scholarship.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Publishing is critical for academic medicine career advancement. Rejection of manuscripts can be demoralizing. Obstacles faced by clinical faculty may include lack of time, confidence, and optimal writing practices. This study describes the development and evaluation of a peer-writing group, informed by theory and research on faculty development and writing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five clinical-track radiology faculty members formed a "Writers' Circle" to promote scholarly productivity and reflection on writing practices. Members decided to work with previously rejected manuscripts. After members' initial meeting, interactions were informal, face to face during clinical work, and online. After the first 6 months, an anonymous survey asked members about the status of articles and evaluations of the writing group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten previously rejected articles, at least one from each member, were submitted to the Circle. In 6 months, four manuscripts were accepted for publication, five were in active revision, and one was withdrawn. All participants (100%) characterized the program as worth their time, increasing their motivation to write, their opportunities to support scholarly productivity of colleagues, and their confidence in generating scholarship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer-support writing groups can facilitate the pooling of expertise and the exchange of recommended writing practices. Our peer-support group increased scholarly productivity and provided a collegial approach to academic writing.
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, TC 2910, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. Electronic address: catbrand@med.umich.edu.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Brandon
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, TC 2910, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Jamadar
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, TC 2910, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
authors: Gandikota
authors: G
authors: Girish
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, TC 2910, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
authors: Qian
authors: Q
authors: Dong
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, TC 2910, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
authors: Yoav
authors: Y
authors: Morag
authors: Department of Medical Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Mullan
mesh_terms: D004526:Efficiency; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009042:Motivation; D010379:Peer Group; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014956:Writing
keywords: Writing group; academic productivity; faculty peer support; scholarly motivation; scholarly writing