F P Kohrs1, A G Mainous. 1. Department of Family Practice, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. fpkohr1@pop.uky.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study measured the retention of family medicine faculty development fellows in academic medicine. METHODS: Surveys were sent, in two stages, to 1) fellowship program directors and 2) fellows. These surveys were about full-time faculty development fellowships with new or continued Title VII funding during the interval of 1993-1996. Retention as faculty was the primary outcome. Likelihood of leaving academics and service in a federally designated medically underserved area were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The fellowship program directors survey produced an 88% response rate and identified 105 alumni. The survey of fellows yielded a response rate of 73% (n = 77). The retention rate of these newly graduated family medicine fellows in academic positions was 75% (n = 58). A total of 37% (n = 21) of alumni in full- and part-time teaching positions reported being likely to leave their current position within the next 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Retention rates of newly graduated family medicine fellows in academic positions are similar to rates reported in the 1980s. This group anticipates a high job turnover within the next 2 years.
OBJECTIVE: This study measured the retention of family medicine faculty development fellows in academic medicine. METHODS: Surveys were sent, in two stages, to 1) fellowship program directors and 2) fellows. These surveys were about full-time faculty development fellowships with new or continued Title VII funding during the interval of 1993-1996. Retention as faculty was the primary outcome. Likelihood of leaving academics and service in a federally designated medically underserved area were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The fellowship program directors survey produced an 88% response rate and identified 105 alumni. The survey of fellows yielded a response rate of 73% (n = 77). The retention rate of these newly graduated family medicine fellows in academic positions was 75% (n = 58). A total of 37% (n = 21) of alumni in full- and part-time teaching positions reported being likely to leave their current position within the next 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Retention rates of newly graduated family medicine fellows in academic positions are similar to rates reported in the 1980s. This group anticipates a high job turnover within the next 2 years.