Statewide Synergy: Showcasing Scholarship and Innovation in Medical Education at IUSM, 2020-2024

Abstract

Background IUSM employs a large geographically distributed system of medical education composed of 8 regional medical campuses statewide with the main medical campus in Indianapolis. An inherent challenge of operating such a large multi-campus system is being able to provide relevant professional development opportunities for all our medical educators and staff from across the state, as well as to provide our learners with formative opportunities to engage with faculty and peers in a community of scholars.

Study objective We planned and implemented a one-day event available to all faculty, staff, and learners from across our multi-campus system with a focus on medical education scholarship.

Methods In March 2020, the first Education Day took place on the Indianapolis campus, orchestrated by a five-member Planning Committee from the Dean’s Office of Educational Affairs. Peer-reviewed proposals culminated in oral and poster presentations, workshops, and group discussions. Eight themed sessions included presentations about specific aspects of IUSM’s educational mission: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Wellness, Point-of-Care Ultrasound, Simulation, Undergraduate Medical Education, Graduate Medical Education, Regional Medical Campuses, and Biomedical (MS/PhD) Education. A lunchtime keynote address was given by a nationally recognized medical educator. The day-long event ended with an awards ceremony to recognize the “best” faculty, staff, and learner proposals. With minimal variation, a similar planning process and agenda were used for the subsequent Education Days held in late April 2021 (virtual), 2022, and 2023. About 40 faculty reviewers from across campuses reviewed submissions using a standard rubric. Each submission was reviewed by two reviewers with a third reviewer resolving any split decisions. Accepted proposals were archived in the University’s ScholarWorks Digital Repository to extend their reach.

Results Over four years, an average of 132 proposals were reviewed annually, with attendance averaging 281, trending upwards each year. While most attendees were from Indianapolis campus (76%), participation from the RMCs (24%) increased each year. Attendees represented basic science departments (17%), clinical departments (61%), and other school units, e.g., library, Dean’s offices, etc. (22%). Education Day presenters included faculty (38%), staff (12%), and learners (50%). The “learners” included medical students, residents, fellows, and a few graduate students. Beginning in 2022, we included Scholarly Concentration projects from medical students statewide which were presented during a special poster session. Post-event survey data across the four years revealed high satisfaction, with 81% rating the event as “excellent” or “very good.” Majority “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that Education Day met their professional expectations and needs (88%); provided supporting material/tools helpful to their professional role (83%); and included opportunities to learn interactively (82%). As a result of this event, majority “strongly agreed” or “agreed” they will be better able to network and collaborate with other IUSM colleagues (87%), identify best practices in medical education (81%), learn to present and publish educational outcomes data (75%), and describe current approaches to evaluate learners (73%).

Conclusions IUSM’s Annual Education Day has established itself as a successful venue to share educational best practices, forge new collaborations, and encourage participation from all IUSM campuses.