Does Being a Clerkship Director Benefit Academic Career Advancement: Results of a National Survey

Abstract

Background: Changes in academic medicine have left clerkship directors (CDs) anxious about their career pathway, because clerkship administrative efforts may detract from other activities. Purpose: The Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM) asked members about benefits of being a CD or CDIM membership toward career development. Methods: Responses were on 1-5 Likert scales with 5 (strongly agree). Background and demographic issues were analyzed for associations with the career benefits statements. Results: The response rate was 75% (n = 92). Mean agreement with CD benefit was 4.2 (SD = 0.82) and CDIM membership 3.8 (SD = 0.95). Eighty-one percent and 58% of CDs agreed with the respective statements. Significant predictors of CD benefit were CD and coordinator salary support, years as CD, and receiving a university teaching award. Structured discussions of expectations strongly predicted perceiving CDIM benefit. Conclusions: Most CDs agreed that their CD role and CDIM benefited their careers. Salary support and clearly defining expectations may increase the likelihood of perceiving benefit.