Impact beyond the objectives: A qualitative study of a faculty development program in medical education Logros más alla de los objetivos: Evaluación cualitativa de un programa de formación en educación médica

Abstract

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 Católica 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 a