Recognition of teaching excellence through the use of teaching awards : a faculty perspective.

Teaching as a faculty activity is often undereinphasized in medical faculty reward systems for a variety of reasons. One method of recognizing teaching excellence has been through annual teaching awards offered by many departments and colleges. The authors surveyed department of psychiatry faculty regarding teaching awards, particularly questioning whether such awards influence teaching behavior or serve a motivational function. The results suggest such awards serve an important recognition function, but a lesser motivational function in academic psychiatry.