What Do Underrepresented in Medicine Junior Family Medicine Faculty Value From a Faculty Development Experience?

Abstract

Background and Objectives: While there is increased attention to underrepresented in medicine (URiM) faculty and students, little is known about what they value in faculty development experiences. Methods: We performed a URiM-focused, 3-day family medicine faculty development program and then collected program evaluation forms. The program evaluations had open-ended questions and a reflection on the activity. We used inductive open coding using NVivo software. We analyzed open-ended responses and reflections, and identified themes. Results: Seven participants provided reflections on the workshop and responses to the evaluation forms. Analysis revealed four major themes in the learners’ responses and reflections: (1) personalizing learning, (2) impacting career trajectories, (3) clarifying the writing process, and (4) creating a safe place, with frequencies of 28.2%, 26.7%, 23.6%, and 20.9%, respectively. Conclusions: Although this faculty development experience was designed to teach writing skills to URiM junior faculty, their collective responses indicate that they found value beyond the skills taught and appreciated the approach taken in this activity.