JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Anesthesiology education has undergone profound changes over the past century, from a pure clinical apprenticeship to novel comprehensive curricula based on andragogic learning theories. Combined with institutional and regulatory requirements, these new curricula have propagated professionalization of the clinician-educator role. A significant number of clinician-educator anesthesiologists, often with support from department chairs, pursue formal health professions education (HPE) training, yet there are no published data demonstrating benefits or costs of these degrees to educational leaders.

Objective:

Use qualitative methods to determine the benefits and costs associated with pursuing an advanced degree in education.

Methods:

Investigators performed a qualitative study of anesthesiologists with HPE degrees working at academic medical centers. Interviews were thematically analyzed via an iterative process. They were coded using a team-based approach, and representative themes and exemplary quotations were identified.

Results:

Seven anesthesiologists were interviewed, representing diverse geographic regions, subspecialties, and medical institutions. Analyses of interview transcripts resulted in six core themes: outcomes, extrinsic motivators, intrinsic motivators, investment, experience, and recommendations. Interviewees noted advantages of HPE training for those wishing to pursue leadership and/or scholarship in medical education, but noted opportunity cost and investment of time in addition to preexisting commitments. Interviewees also highlighted considerations faculty and chairs might consider for optimal timing of HPE training.

Conclusions:

There are numerous professional and personal benefits to pursuing HPE degrees for faculty interested in education leadership and/or scholarship. Making an informed decision to pursue HPE training can be challenging when considering the competing pressures of clinical work and personal obligations. The experiences of the interviewed anesthesiologists offer direction to future anesthesiologists and chairs in their decision-making process of whether, and when, to pursue HPE training.