Leadership curriculum in undergraduate medical education: A study of student and faculty perspectives

Abstract

Background: Leaders in medicine have called for transformative changes in healthcare to address systems challenges and improve the health of the public. The purpose of this study was to elicit the perspectives of students, faculty physicians and administrators regarding the knowledge and competencies necessary in an undergraduate leadership curriculum.

Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted using focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with faculty physicians and administrative leaders, as well as a written survey of medical student leaders.

Results: Twenty-two faculties participated in focus groups and interviews; 21 medical students responded to the written survey. Participants identified emotional intelligence, confidence, humility and creativity as necessary qualities of leaders; and teamwork, communication, management and quality improvement as necessary knowledge and skills. Students perceived themselves as somewhat or fully competent in communication (90%), conflict resolution (70%) and time management (65%), but reported minimal or no knowledge or competence in coding and billing (100%), writing proposals (90%), managed care (85%) and investment principles (85%). Both faculty and students believed that experiential training was the most effective for teaching leadership skills.

Conclusions: Study participants identified the necessary qualities, knowledge and skills to serve as goals for an undergraduate leadership curriculum. Future studies should address optimal methods of teaching and assessing leadership skills among medical students.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Prathibha Varkey

PRATHIBHA VARKEY, MD, MPH is Associate Professor of Medicine Preventive Medicine and Medical Education and a Consultant in the Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. She is also the Director of the Leadership Curriculum at Mayo Medical School.

Joanna Peloquin

JOANNA PELOQUIN, MD is an Internal Medicine Resident at Johns Hopkins, Maryland. At the time of the study she was a medical student at Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN.

Darcy Reed

DARCY REED, MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and a Consultant in the Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Keith Lindor

KEITH LINDOR, MD is a Professor of Medicine and a Consultant in the Division of Gastroenterology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. He is the Dean of Mayo Medical School.

Ilene Harris

ILENE B HARRIS, PhD is a Professor of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. She is also the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Medical Education at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine.