Evaluation of the University of Virginia Leadership in Academic Medicine Program

Abstract

Background: Developing effective transformational leaders is essential for a diverse and complex academic medical system. The purpose of this study is to elicit faculty perspectives on their leadership skills before and after participation in a Leadership in Academic Medicine (LAM) Program. Summary: The two-part study consisted of a prospective Pre- and Immediate Post-LAM Survey distributed to 32 participants in the 2008 Program and a Long-Term Post-LAM Survey distributed to 110 prior participants (2004–2007). Both surveys were designed to assess participant leadership perspectives and career outcomes. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. All participants reported improved leadership skills, but the percentages were lower for Long-Term Post-LAM participants than for the Immediate Post-LAM participants. In addition, although 58% of Immediate Post-LAM women, compared with 19% of Immediate Post-LAM men (p < .05), were actively seeking leadership roles, this was reversed in the long-term group (26% of women vs. 66% of men; p < .05). Conclusions: Although the benefits of LAM participation are sustained for some years, there is a need for reinforcement to prevent skill attrition. That lower percentages of Long-Term Post-LAM women had leadership aspirations requires further study.