title: Communities of teaching practice in the workplace: Evaluation of a faculty development programme.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The focus of faculty development (FD) has recently shifted from individual and formal learning to formal and informal learning by a team of teachers in the workplace where the teaching is actually effected. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a faculty development programme on teachers' educational workplace environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We invited 23 teachers, who had successfully completed a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) programme, to evaluate the faculty development programme and participate in focus group discussions. This UTQ programme spanned one year and covered 185 hours of formal and informal learning and training activities and formal coaching.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After having obtained their UTQ, teachers reported that coaching enhances reflection and feedback, to participate more frequently in educational networks, which enhances consultation among teachers, increased awareness of organizational educational policies and more confidence in fulfilling educational tasks and activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evaluation of the UTQ programme demonstrated to enhance the development of a community of teachers at the workplace who share a passion for education and provide each other with support and feedback, which triggered a change in culture enhancing improvement of education. However, this did not hold for all teachers. Inhibiting factors hold sway, such as a prevailing commitment to research over education in some departments and a lack of interest in education by some department chairs.
authors.affiliation: a Maastricht University , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marie-Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schreurs
authors.affiliation: a Maastricht University , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wilma
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huveneers
authors.affiliation: a Maastricht University , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dolmans
mesh_terms: D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015279:Organizational Culture; D016730:Program Development; D013663:Teaching; D017132:Workplace