REFLECTING ON OUR 50^TH YEAR

Partied like it was 1967!

During our 50th Anniversary yearlong celebration, staff and members produced a 50th Anniversary edition of Family Medicine and created a series of videos and blog posts about “remembering the past, embracing the present, and shaping the future.” We celebrated at our conferences with special programming, history exhibits, “champagne” toasts, ice sculptures, and possibly the most energetic STFM dance party ever. We ceremoniously packed away anniversary-year mementos in a time capsule to be opened in 2042.

Introduced Peer-Reviewed Reports in Medical Education Research (PRiMER).

This open-access scholarly journal publishes original research briefs that fill a gap between the presentation of research results at conferences and the development of full-length articles suitable for submission to traditional print journals, such as Family Medicine. PRiMER editors offer feedback and mentoring to junior researchers.

Launched the Residency Faculty Fundamentals Certificate Program

This assessment-based online program includes self-led courses with assignments to provide foundational training for residency faculty. Courses cover the structure and requirements of residency education; how to be an effective and efficient faculty member; the nuts and bolts of curriculum development and teaching; and strategies for assessment, feedback, and remediation of residents.

Conducted the first meeting of the Precepting Expansion Oversight Committee

This multi-disciplinary, interprofessional committee is overseeing the implementation of an action plan to decrease the percentage of primary care clerkship directors who report difficulty finding clinical preceptor sites and increase the percentage of students completing clerkships at high-functioning sites. Five tactic teams began meeting in 2017 and are now implementing strategies to ensure medical, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant students receive hands-on opportunities with patients in real-world settings.

Updated the Leading Change online course

The content is now delivered in shorter segments and the course includes interactivity, learning activities, and quizzes to promote understanding and retention.

Implemented new submission systems for the Family Medicine Residency Curriculum Resource and the STFM National Clerkship Curriculum

Submissions are now made through the same system STFM uses for its journals, which allows for better tracking of submissions and communication with authors.

Implemented digital badging on member profiles in STFM CONNECT.

A digital badge is an online recognition of accomplishments, mastery of a skill, or completion of a learning experience. The goal of the badging is to recognize members, showcase their accomplishments and STFM involvement, and encourage participation in STFM programs and leadership activities.

The celebration and innovation of 2017 built momentum for the many products and activities planned for 2018: a Medical School Faculty Fundamentals Certificate Program, an enhanced online presence for Family Medicine, a revamped, mobile-friendly web-site, a new conference submission and review system, and ongoing work to address the shortage of community preceptors.