Faculty development for family medicine educators: An agenda for future activities

The literature on faculty development activities for family medicine educators is reviewed and presented in three sections: (a) overview of faculty development in family medicine, (b) fellowships, and (c) workshops and other short‐term programs. Although a wide variety of formats have been utilized for faculty development purposes in family medicine, most faculty development programs have been evaluated primarily on participant satisfaction rather than on observed changes in participant behavior when in the faculty role. As funds for family medicine faculty development programs disappear or decline, new strategies for maintaining the quantity and quality of family medicine educators must be developed. We suggestan agenda for future faculty development activities in family medicine. These activities include (a) initiation of faculty development training, including teaching and research skills, during residency training programs, (b) development of fourth‐year clinical fellow positions supported by clinical revenue, (c) development of 2‐year research fellowships supported by clinical revenue and research grants, and (d) more rigorous evaluation of faculty development fellowships and workshops based on outcome measures rather than strictly on participant satisfaction.