Measuring the effects of an international health professions faculty development fellowship: the FAIMER Institute

Abstract

While there are many examples of evaluations of faculty development programs in resource rich countries, evaluation of transnational programs for faculty from developing countries is limited. We describe evaluation of the effects of the FAIMER Institute, an international health professions education fellowship that incorporates not only education content, but also leadership and management topics and, in addition, strives to develop a sustained community of educators. Data were obtained via retrospective pre/post surveys, as well as interviews. Results indicate that participating health professions faculty from developing countries are augmenting their knowledge and skills in education leadership, management, and methodology, and applying that knowledge at their home institutions. Fellows’ perceptions of importance of, and their own competence in, all curriculum theme areas increased. Interviews confirmed a nearly universal gain of at least one leadership skill. Findings suggest that the high-engagement experience of the FAIMER model offering integration of education and leadership/management tools necessary to implement change, provides knowledge and skills which are useful across cultural and national contexts and results in the development of a supportive, global, professional network.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

W. P. Burdick

WILLIAM P. BURDICK, M.D., M.S.Ed. is Associate Vice President for Education at the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), and Co-Director of the FAIMER Institute. He is Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine.

D. Diserens

DEBORAH DISERENS, M.A., M.Phil, is Director of Development and Program Evaluation at FAIMER.

S. R. Friedman

STACEY R. FRIEDMAN, Ph.D., is Program Evaluation Analyst at FAIMER.

P. S. Morahan

PAGE S. MORAHAN, Ph.D., is Co-Director of the FAIMER Institute. At the Drexel University College of Medicine, she is Founding Director of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women and tenured professor in microbiology and immunology.

S. Kalishman

SUMMERS KALISHMAN, Ph.D., is Assistant Dean, Medical Education Scholarship, Director, Office of Program Evaluation, Education and Research, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, and external evaluation consultant for the FAIMER Institute 2002–2008.

M. A. Eklund

MARYANN EKLUND, PhD., is a former Research Scientist with the Office of Program Evaluation, Education and Research, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, collaborating in FAIMER program evaluation.

S. Mennin

STEWART MENNIN, PhD., Professor Emeritus, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, former Assistant Dean for Educational Development and Research, University of New Mexico School of Medicine and external evaluation consultant for the FAIMER Institute 2002–2007.

J. J. Norcini

John J. Norcini, Ph.D., is President of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research.