More educational opportunities for residency program coordinators
As the requirements for training programs continue to evolve, one thing remains constant: the need for well-qualified and well-trained program administrators.
As I travel around the country, I have noticed an increase in the number of institutions creating educational programming for their coordinators. This training supports the professional development of the administrator, which in turn helps them run their residency or fellowship program more smoothly.
There are several formats for coordinator education, including:
- Regularly scheduled program coordinator meetings sponsored or developed by the GME office
- Mandatory annual program coordinator meetings sponsored or developed by the GME office
- Meetings initiated by program coordinators that focus on a specific topic
- Online tutorials or e-learning courses distributed by the GME office
- Orientation meetings for newly hired administrators
- Comprehensive course curriculum with goals and objectives, which the GME office requires coordinators to complete
The content of many of these programs focus on the needs of the institution’s GME office. They often touch on topics such as, contract and payroll information, incoming resident orientation, visa processing, health benefits, and institution processes. Some institutions also cover an overview of the ACGME, Nation Resident Matching Program, ERAS, and the Match.
Because the formats vary from institution to institution, please share how your institution offers educational programming for coordinators and what topics are included.
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Ruth Nawotniak
Ruth Nawotniak is cofounder and first president of the National Board for Certification of Training Administrators of Graduate Medical Education (TAGME).
Ruth has written 18 posts.
Comments
Other than allowing for annual attendance at an educational type nationwide conference, none of the venues you mention above are available at my institution. For the most part, at least as far as coordinators are concerned, “each man is an island”.
I have been trying, and will continue to pursue, gathering with other coordinators on a monthly basis to share best practices, etc. This, in fact, is my goal for 2009 for I believe everyone has something that can benefit another.
At our institution, we have had a monthly Coordinator Council meeting for the past 4 years. These meetings are educational and communicative in nature, so that the coordinators are up to date on policies being reviewed, new procedures, new requirements by the institution, ACGME or AOA, etc. Coordinators are now part of the Internal Review process, have membership on the GMEC and are included in faculty professional development venues. These are all excellent professional development and educational opportunities for coordinators without having to leave our institution.
Our GME director is great and keeps us informed daily (if needed) of any changes taking place for the programs. We have monthly coordinator meetings with the GME director and discuss tips and ideas to improve the quality of the programs and work more efficiently. Upcoming conference/meetings are brought up so we can take advantage of all opportunities to improve our programs.
The GME Office at the University of California, Davis, has held monthly residency coordinator administrative meetings for almost 15 years. Through this process we have been able to communicate new policies from ACGME as well as the University, discuss HR issues and update the group on GMEC decisions/discussions. In addition, a special fellows session is held at the conclusion of the meeting to discuss issues related solely to fellows. On occasion, invited guests have been asked to attend, i.e., DIO, Chair of our Physician Wellness Committee, Resident Counselor.
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