STFM Offers Support and Resources to New and Transitioning Residency Learning Networks

About the Learning Networks Summit

Thirty-three individuals met at a Summit, April 6-7, 2023, in Denver, Colorado to clarify needs and generate ideas for an infrastructure for STFM-supported residency learning networks. The Summit was chaired by Corey Lyon, DO, Program Director, University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program. Participants included organizational representatives, learning collaborative representatives, program directors, faculty, coordinators, and residents.

The Summit included a panel discussion on program needs; presentations on 8 existing learning network models; and activities, facilitated discussion, and breakout groups to define the level and type of support needed by family medicine residency programs.

General takeaways from the Summit:

• Because learning networks aren’t a citable ACGME requirement, the messaging about the benefits of joining a network are important.

• There are many benefits to joining a learning network; programs should be participating.

One of the key questions posed to Summit participants was whether STFM should devote resources to supporting learning networks. The response was a resounding “yes.” However, participants were less interested in STFM running/coordinating networks than in STFM providing support for networks.

Through a series of group activities, participants agreed that STFM should serve as a “central resource connecting programs to existing learning networks and providing resources (infrastructure and potentially staffing) to support the development of new networks. As part of this, STFM would host regular meetings of learning network leaders to support cross pollination of best practices across learning networks.”

About the Learning Networks Leadership Training

In April of 2023, STFM put out a call for applications for Residency Learning Network Leadership Training for faculty, program directors, and/or assistant/associate program directors who had an interest in leading residency learning networks. Forty-seven individuals applied; 23 were accepted; 21 confirmed.

Training took place through a full-day workshop and supporting sessions at the 2023 STFM Conference on Practice and Quality Improvement.

Topics covered in the training included:

• Learning collaborative models and definitions

• Effective leadership

• Change management

• Defining and measuring outcomes

• Facilitation: recruitment, creating agendas, role assignments, collaborative communication, documenting findings, etc

• Accessing resources

• Securing funding

All participants indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with the training, and in aggregate participants noted increased confidence in their ability to (1) make the case to their leadership to get protected time to lead a residency learning network; (2) measure outcomes of a residency learning network; (3) create a sustainable governance structure for a residency learning network; (4) implement a data collection and storage strategy for a residency learning network; (5) get funding for a residency learning network; and (6) provide leadership for a residency learning network.

About the Action Plan and Next Steps to Develop Family Medicine Residency Learning Networks

Based on the outcomes of the Summit, STFM developed an action plan to train and support leaders of residency learning networks. STFM is in the early stages of a project to:

• Educate and engage residency programs not currently participating in learning networks

• Provide infrastructure and support to new and/or transitioning residency learning networks

• Create online resources to support learning networks

• Develop leaders of residency learning networks

This work is also being funded by the ABFM Foundation and chaired by Corey Lyon, DO.

The following support opportunities will be made available to new and transitioning residency learning networks over the next several months:

• In-person Residency Learning Network Leadership Training for faculty, program directors, and/or assistant/associate program directors who have an interest in leading Residency Learning Networks

• 1:1 consults with STFM staff to develop learning network governance structure, goals and objectives, and communication strategies

• Coaches, who will offer expertise on network structure, data collection/management, agenda planning, and sustainability

• Speakers for residency learning network in-person and virtual faculty development

• Time and space to convene at STFM conferences

• Online resources, including a guide to running a residency learning network, a directory of family medicine learning networks, and a workbook for documenting goals, objectives, evaluation strategies, and governance structures

• An STFM Collaborative for residency learning network leaders

All opportunities and resources will be posted at stfm.org/residencylearningnetworks.