Frameworks to Guide Faculty Development for Health Professions Education: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Introduction: The authors explored the existence of explicit definitions, guiding competency frameworks, and learning theory to inform health professions education faculty development (FD) programs. The authors analyzed identified frameworks based on thematic focus, scope of targeted faculty, and design structure.

Methods: A scoping review was used to identify health professions education literature between 2005 and 2020. Frameworks were characterized according to the scope of the faculty targeted and design structure, and then, domains were grouped into topical categories for analysis.

Results: Twenty-three articles met the criteria for data extraction, of which only one (4.3%) described the explicit use of a learning theory and three (13%) included an explicit definition of FD. One (4.3%) used a recognized framework, whereas 12 (52.2%) developed a novel framework based on an existing outline. Ten (43.5%) described de novo framework development. Only three (13.0%) used entrustable professional activities or similar constructs. Five (21.7%) programs targeted multiple health professions, 11 (47.8%) targeted a single health profession, and seven (30.5%) targeted a specific specialty within a health profession. Only two frameworks included a developmental component.

Discussion: Few authors describe an explicit definition, learning theory, or use a pre-established framework when framing their FD programs. The use of entrustable professional activities to structurally link competencies to work practices is also uncommon, as well as the use of developmental structures designed to support progressive FD over time.