The Vice Chair of Education in Emergency Medicine: A Workforce Study to Establish the Role, Clarify Responsibilities, and Plan for Success

Abstract

Objectives: Despite increasing prevalence in emergency medicine (EM), the vice chair of education (VCE) role remains ambiguous with regard to associated responsibilities and expectations. This study aimed to identify training experiences of current VCEs, clarify responsibilities, review career paths, and gather data to inform a unified job description.Methods: A 40-item, anonymous survey was electronically sent to EM VCEs. VCEs were identified through EM chairs, residency program directors, and residency coordinators through solicitation e-mails distributed through respective listservs. Quantitative data are reported as percentages with 95% confidence intervals and continuous variables as medians with interquartiles (IQRs). Open-and axial-coding methods were used to organize qualitative data into thematic categories.Results: Forty-seven of 59 VCEs completed the survey (79.6% response rate); 74.4% were male and 89.3% were white. Average time in the role was 3.56 years (median = 3.0 years, IQR = 4.0 years), with 74.5% serving as inaugural VCE. Many respondents held at least one additional administrative title. Most had no defined job description (68.9%) and reported no defined metrics of success (88.6%). Almost 78% received a reduction in clinical duties, with an average reduction of 27.7% protected time effort (median = 27.2%, IQR = 22.5%). Responsibilities thematically link to faculty affairs and promotion of the departmental educational mission and scholarship.Conclusion: Given the variability in expectations observed, the authors suggest the adoption of a unified VCE job description with detailed responsibilities and performance metrics to ensure success in the role. Efforts to improve the diversity of VCEs are encouraged to better match the diversity of learners.From the

Recommendations to guide Vice Chairs for Education in serving as effective leaders

“…As outstanding educators, their role modeling of best teaching practices and versatility in supporting scholarship and faculty development provides a useful foundation for success. [1][2][3] Third, Vice Chairs for Education should implement and evaluate educational initiatives to enhance faculty well-being and promote a solid clinical learning environment. Although previously recognized as necessary within the Vice Chair for Education role, [1][2][3] this need has been highlighted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with the global transition to virtual teaching, increased demands on faculty time, and more severe emotional burdens.…”

“…[1][2][3] Third, Vice Chairs for Education should implement and evaluate educational initiatives to enhance faculty well-being and promote a solid clinical learning environment. Although previously recognized as necessary within the Vice Chair for Education role, [1][2][3] this need has been highlighted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with the global transition to virtual teaching, increased demands on faculty time, and more severe emotional burdens. Finally, they should interact with other Vice Chairs for Education institutionally and nationally to collaborate and develop best practices.…”

“…Vice Chairs for Education superintend a broad swath of education at academic teaching hospitals with wide variation in scope and responsibility. [1][2][3] They often serve in supportive, rather than supervisory, roles for course, clerkship, residency, and fellowship program directors. 4 Vice Chairs for Education are typically responsible for supervising educational initiatives and faculty development, and, in some cases, developing and monitoring educational budgets.…”

“…4 Vice Chairs for Education are typically responsible for supervising educational initiatives and faculty development, and, in some cases, developing and monitoring educational budgets. 5 The role has previously been studied in Emergency Medicine, 3,6 Internal Medicine, 4,7 Psychiatry, 5 Pediatrics, 2 Radiology, 8,9 and Surgery, 10 using surveys, qualitative analysis, and exploratory case studies. A PubMed search found no published articles specifically investigating the Vice Chair role in obstetrics and gynecology.…”

The Vice Chair Position in Emergency Medicine Deserves Continued Support

“…T he SAEM Faculty Development Committee was pleased to see AEM E&T publish the findings from the workforce study by Papanagnou et al 1 of Vice Chair of education (VCE). Evaluating the current state and future needs of this position is important to our specialty as more departments add the position of Vice Chair (VC) to their leadership.…”