A sustainable family medicine academic workforce: a study of Pennsylvania residency faculty

Abstract

Background and objectives: This study determined the demographic and practice characteristics of current Pennsylvania family medicine residency faculty.

Methods: Surveys were sent electronically to program directors to distribute to their faculty members. Participants were surveyed for age, race, gender, current and completed residency training program, fellowship completion, practice track, and current practice characteristics.

Results: Survey response rate represented 35.3% of residency faculty in Pennsylvania. The majority represented full-time faculty (83.7%), were male (53.8%), were Caucasian (84.8%), did not enter their faculty position following residency (65.9%), had completed their residency training in Pennsylvania (57.9%), and did not complete a fellowship. While most faculty have continued inpatient and outpatient care, less than half participate in other surveyed elements of comprehensive family medicine care.

Conclusions: The environment within academic family medicine and changing cultures have created a shift that the future of academic practice may need to depend on new graduates. Current demographics suggest a poorly diverse faculty with private practice experience and limited full-spectrum mentors that may have contributed to family medicine's difficulties within the academic marketplace. Creating a strong primary care workforce demands ensuring a sustainable faculty.