Impact beyond the objectives: a qualitative study of a faculty development program in medical education

Background: In medical education there has been increasing emphasis on faculty development programs aimed at the professionalization of teaching and increasing students' learning. However, these programs have been shown to have an impact beyond improvement in teaching skills. The medical school of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (EMUC) has been running a faculty development program (DEM) since 2000. Aim: To explore the perception of graduates on the effects of having participated in DEM on their development as teachers and clinicians. Material and Methods: Using an exploratory, descriptive and qualitative design, the 79 teachers who graduated from DEM from 2004-2008 were sent a questionnaire containing three open questions. Their answers were analyzed using the Constant Comparative Method of Qualitative Analysis of Glaser and Strauss by four researchers. Results: Faculty development, becoming a better clinician, personal development, appreciation of the value of teaching and strengthening of the academic community were the five categories that emerged from the answers. Graduates felt that, besides learning new educational skills, they changed their attitude towards teaching. DEM was perceived as facilitating self-awareness and reflection about the graduates' role as doctors and teachers. The graduates also valued meeting other faculty. Conclusions: Faculty development programs can have an impact far beyond the learning objectives. The planning and design of programs contributes to their wider impact. This should be taken into consideration in the design, planning, and evaluation of faculty development programs. Care should be taken to protect time for participation, reflection and for interaction with other academics.