The academic viability of general internal medicine. The views of department of medicine chairmen

Abstract

A national survey of department of medicine chairmen was conducted to learn their views of the status of academic general internal medicine. Developing a research program in general internal medicine was considered a high priority by 60% of the department chairmen at the time their general internal medicine divisions were established, and by 1981, 83% considered this a high priority. However, only 17% stated that significant progress had been made by the division at their institutions toward achieving this goal. Chairmen identified problems with funding for research, their faculty's ability to do research, and available time of faculty to conduct research. They stated their intention to assist the division of general internal medicine in developing a research program through financial and organizational support. At least two thirds planned to recruit selectively general internal medicine faculty who had research backgrounds and interests and to require the existing faculty to do research as a condition for continued appointment.