Douglas Fernald1, Christina M Hester2, Steven R Brown3. 1. University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Aurora, CO. 2. American Academy of Family Physicians, Leawood, KS. 3. University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix Family Medicine Residency, Phoenix, AZ.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Family medicine residency program directors (PD) oversee the training of every new family physician in the United States. The median tenure of family medicine PDs is 4.5 years, and factors relating to length of tenure and reasons for departure are not well known. This exploratory study examined why family medicine PDs leave their position. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with family medicine PDs who recently left their director position. Semistructured and structured questions asked about their PD experience and factors contributing to stepping away from the PD role. We analyzed answers quantitatively and qualitatively. RESULTS: When comparing cases with longer (>6 years) and shorter tenures (≤6 years), 25 PDs described differing pathways but few major differences in why they left the position. The two groups were distinguished more by their similarities than their differences. The majority left voluntarily due to a combination of factors, not a single factor. Most PDs left the position because of their desire and opportunities to move up, move over, or move on, and not because of dissatisfaction with the job. Succession plans helped with PD decisions to leave the position, knowing that the program was in good hands. CONCLUSIONS: Family medicine PDs left the position due to multiple factors primarily related to career pathway choices and not solely due to demands of the job. Additional research with PDs of very short tenures and long tenures may yield further details about sustaining PDs in residency education to successfully train the next generation of family physicians.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Family medicine residency program directors (PD) oversee the training of every new family physician in the United States. The median tenure of family medicine PDs is 4.5 years, and factors relating to length of tenure and reasons for departure are not well known. This exploratory study examined why family medicine PDs leave their position. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with family medicine PDs who recently left their director position. Semistructured and structured questions asked about their PD experience and factors contributing to stepping away from the PD role. We analyzed answers quantitatively and qualitatively. RESULTS: When comparing cases with longer (>6 years) and shorter tenures (≤6 years), 25 PDs described differing pathways but few major differences in why they left the position. The two groups were distinguished more by their similarities than their differences. The majority left voluntarily due to a combination of factors, not a single factor. Most PDs left the position because of their desire and opportunities to move up, move over, or move on, and not because of dissatisfaction with the job. Succession plans helped with PD decisions to leave the position, knowing that the program was in good hands. CONCLUSIONS: Family medicine PDs left the position due to multiple factors primarily related to career pathway choices and not solely due to demands of the job. Additional research with PDs of very short tenures and long tenures may yield further details about sustaining PDs in residency education to successfully train the next generation of family physicians.
Authors: Steven R Brown; Rachel Friedman; Shannon McDermott; Michelle Olivieri; Annie O Derthick; Bethany Picker Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2021 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Eiman Khesroh; Melissa Butt; Annahieta Kalantari; Douglas L Leslie; Sarah Bronson; Andrea Rigby; Betsy Aumiller Journal: BMC Med Educ Date: 2022-02-25 Impact factor: 2.463