Overview of the Educational Scholarship Track

The educational scholarship track represented 1 of 3 tracks of the Ambulatory Pediatric Association/Health Resources and Services Administration faculty development initiative. Two cohorts of participants (N = 38), selected via a peer-review process, took part in a series of three 2-day workshops presented over an 18-month period designed to assist experienced pediatric faculty in becoming more proficient educators. The program was developed through an iterative needs assessment process and consisted of 7 major areas of study and skill development: principles of adult learning; teaching skills; feedback and evaluation; the workshop as a teaching and faculty development tool; curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation; research in medical education; and scholarship and promotion. At program completion, 35 scholars rated themselves on their pre- and postprogram competencies, demonstrating improvement in most areas. Scholars were required to lead educational workshops and reported having led a total of 118 local and 64 regional or national workshops as part of their program participation. There are objective indications that scholars in this track were successful in furthering their careers in medical education.

KEY WORDS:  adult learning , community pediatrics , curriculum development , education