A multi-component program to increase family physicians’ faculty skills

A fellowship program designed to increase nonclinical faculty skills among academic family physicians is described. In contrast to most faculty development programs, the fellowship is continuous for a full academic year and involves activities at a university medical center and the participants’ home settings. The fellowship curriculum addresses five components of the academic physician’s responsibilities: (a) curriculum planning, evaluation, and instruction; (b) clinical and educational research; (c) professional and organizational development; (d) ethics and human values; and (e) professional communication. Methods of program planning and operation are discussed, and particular attention is given to the match between the fellowship curriculum and the realities of academic medical work. Preliminary evidence suggests the program is achieving its intended goals.