Faculty development programs for medical teachers in India.
BACKGROUND
India has the highest number of medical colleges in the world and subsequently the higher number of medical teachers. There is a dire need of adopting a systematic approach to faculty development to enhance quality education to meet health challenges for 21st Century. This manuscript provides a landscape of faculty development programs in India, identifying gaps and opportunities for reforms in faculty development.


METHODS
Conventionally, FDPs are organized by medical colleges and universities through Basic Courses and Advanced Courses focusing on pedagogy. Medical Council of India is facilitating FDPs through 18 selected regional centers to enable medical teachers to avail modern education technology for teaching from July 2009. Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research has three Regional Institutes in India.


RESULTS
Recommendations include the need for formulating a national strategy for faculty development to not only enhance the quantity of medical teachers but also the quality of medical education; providing support for Departments of Medical Education/Regional Centers in terms of finance and staffing and incorporation of teaching skills in postgraduate training.


CONCLUSIONS
Distance learning courses focusing on educational leadership and pedagogy for medical teachers can be an option to reach a wider audience. FDPs can be an asset in recruiting and retaining teachers as they offer valued professional development opportunities.
Public Health Education, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India;
Sanjay
S
Zodpey
Public Health Education, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India;
Anjali
A
Sharma
Community Medicine Department, J N Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India;
Quazi Syed
QS
Zahiruddin
Community Medicine Department, J N Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India;
Abhay
A
Gaidhane
Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Sunanda
S
Shrikhande
Development; Faculty; Medical education; Pedagogy