Collaboration, Collegiality, and Sharing of Resources: Benefits of a Visiting Professor Exchange Program in Breast Imaging.

Abstract

The role of a visiting professor (VP) has long been used as a model to share medical knowledge and new advances between different teaching institutions. As with all subspecialties, breast imaging has institution-specific differences in resources and faculty. Sharing of resources between programs can have a profound impact on enriching educational experiences for learners. Our conceptual design of a VP lecture exchange program was between two academic medical centers, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCU) and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital University (MGUH), in the subspecialty of breast imaging. The program was designed to supplement potential areas of weakness in the breast imaging educational curriculum at each respective institution. The program also sought to create opportunities for long-term mentorship and collaboration between institutions. Three faculty members from VCU and three faculty members from MGUH participated for a total of six lectures (three lectures at each site). Participating residents and faculty completed anonymous surveys following each lecture regarding the lecture exchange program experience. The survey responses showed that the VP exchange was well received at both institutions. The VP exchange process was relatively easy to arrange, benefits both institutions, and could even be expanded to the virtual environment.