Poster1-09: DETERMINING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF VICE CHAIRS OF EDUCATION IN SURGERY
Dimitrios Stefanidis, MD, PhD1, Nicholas E Anton, MS1, Douglas S Smink, MD, MPH2, Brigette K Smith, MD, MHPE3, Daniel J Scott, MD4, Amalia Cochran, MD5, Kyla Terhune, MD, MBA6, Mohsen M Shabahang, MD, PhD7; 1Indiana University School of Medicine, 2Harvard Medical School, 3University of Utah, 4University of Texas Southwestern, 5Ohio State University, 6Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 7Geisinger Medical Center
Background: An increasing number of Departments of Surgery have created Vice Chair of Education (VCE) positions to support their education mission. Given the novelty of this position, however, specific job responsibilities of VCE are less well defined. The purpose of this study was to better define the roles and responsibilities of current VCE in Departments of Surgery.
Methods: VCE in Departments of Surgery were identified by members of the Association for Surgical Education - Graduate Surgical Education Committee using an online search. A survey was created and modified based on expert group consensus and was delivered electronically to the identified VCE. The 11-item survey examined current job responsibilities, length of time spent in the position, other education leadership positions held simultaneously and potential related conflicts, compensation for the VCE position, and perceived value of the position for their department.
Results: Twenty-five of 60 identified VCE (42%) completed the survey. Responders were 12.9±5.24 years post-residency training and had held the VCE position for 4.67±3.23 years. Respondents reported that they oversaw all educational activities in their department (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education). Twenty-two respondents (88%) indicated that their job responsibilities were appropriate, while two (8%) opined that their roles were not well-defined and four (16%) lacked a job description. Four VCE (16%) desired to obtain more control over the departmental budget for education-related activities, while two (8%) felt that their role was being undermined by their Department Chair. Oversight and coordination of departmental education activities was the most frequently reported value for the VCE role. Eighteen respondents (72%) received compensation for their VCE role, but 7 did not.
Conclusions: The results of this survey provide insight into the responsibilities, desires, and perceived value of VCE in surgery. While the majority of VCE surveyed are content with their role a number of concerns have been raised that merit further examination. In an effort to better define the role of VCE in surgery, additional input from other stakeholders (chairs, program and clerkship directors) may be valuable and is currently being sought.