University of Colorado
Aroura, CO

Program Director: Tristan Huie, MD

Program Type: Pulmonary/Critical Care

Abstract Authors: Joshua L Denson MD, Oliver Eickelberg MD, Tristan J Huie MD

Description of Fellowship Program: A pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship program with a mission of training leaders in academic medicine. 

Abstract

Background

Pulmonary and critical care medicine fellows have diverse career options following fellowship. Recognized across the country are diminishing numbers of fellows who choose an academic physician-scientist career. We designed a three-day curriculum to assist first year fellows in finding a mentor, connect fellows to the faculty, and provide  career development information for all fellows, particularly with a focus on mentor-mentee relationships and the life of a physician-scientist.  

Methods

In the fall of 2017, the Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine (PSCCM) at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (CU) organized an off-site, three-day fellowship retreat. All fellows were provided clinical coverage by institutional faculty to attend. All faculty were similarly invited to attend while specific local and national leaders were invited to speak. Pediatric pulmonary fellows, pediatric critical care fellows, and their faculty from CU were also invited to attend.  The conference itinerary included three keynote speakers: one local senior physician-scientist, one senior physician-scientist from an out-of-state institution, and another graduate from Colorado fellowship program whose career spanned multiple domains including bio-technology. Additional 20 minute lectures were given by invited PSCCM faculty of differing race, gender, age, and background. All lecturers were instructed to be informational about their career path with attention to detail on why and how they made decisions along the way. All fellows delivered 10 minute presentations to highlight their research, career plans, and/or share advice on finding a mentor with first year fellows.  Career development workshops were held for each fellow class discussing relevant topics, including how to improve the mentor-mentee relationship, negotiating for an academic job, and salary funding for physician-scientists.   A fellow and faculty specific survey was sent to those in attendance following the retreat to determine how the retreat might have influenced their career aspirations and perception of life as a physician-scientist.  

Results

24 of 29 fellows responded to the survey.  Numerous themes were identified including an appreciation for different types of academic careers, improving life as a physician-scientist, improving mentor-mentee relationships, and understanding pathways to academic careers. 100% of fellows found sessions on building an academic career helpful, while 71% felt their confidence to pursue a career as a physician-scientist was increased as a result of the retreat. Additionally, 75% of fellows felt their perception of life as a physician-scientist improved as a result of the retreat. Positive responses were gathered in response to both fellow research presentations as well as faculty speeches about individual career paths. Numerous themes emerged from this retreat as evidenced by direct feedback provided (Table 1).  

Discussion

The Career Development and Research Retreat is a strategy that can be used by pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship programs to enhance understanding of the diverse career options that exists for graduating fellows and improve the perception of life as a physician-scientist. We felt that presenting the diverse array of speakers with differing race, gender, age, and background was a particular strength of this curriculum. Although some fellowship programs have scheduled retreats in place, we believe it was important to share this valuable experience from our division with others that might be considering this initiative as a worthy venture.  We hope this program will improve our success in retaining fellows in academic medicine.