Since 1978, the Duke Department of Community and Family Medicine has been recognized as a leader in faculty development.  With the initial aid of the Kellogg Foundation, and then through the external support of Title VII grants and internal support from Duke University Medical Center, the Department built a program in faculty development that has served as a model across the nation.  The centerpieces of the program have been year-long fellowships and workshop/conference formats.

 

 

Since the fellowship began in 1979, the program has graduated 46 fellows. These graduates have risen to leadership positions in academic medicine and have had profound influence on the way medicine is taught in this country.  The graduates include 3 department chairs, 6 residency program directors, and 7 medical directors.

 

 

For 23 years, the Department conducted Faculty Development Workshops and Conferences on fundamental skills for faculty from across the nation. Workshop topics included basic clinical teaching skills, dealing with difficult learners, small group and lecture skills, curriculum planning, negotiation skills, and leadership. Over 3500 faculty from 48 states completed at least one workshop. Over 150 graduated from the full series. In 2001, the external workshops were discontinued to allow increased attention on faculty development needs at Duke.

 

 

In 2006, the Department began a process of ‘re-inventing’ our faculty development programs to more tightly match the Department mission and current faculty needs.  Focusing primarily on an internal audience, live short courses provide focused training on key skills.  Web-based modules and written materials provide additional learning opportunities.  Training for external faculty in our model of community outreach and intervention is available through the Division of Community Health- Health Leadership Program.