Tomorrow’s Women’s Healthcare Leaders: A Needs Assessment for the Development of an OBGYN Resident and Fellow Leadership Curriculum

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a needs assessment of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) faculty, fellows, and residents in preparation for the development of a leadership curriculum. HYPOTHESIS: Resident and fellow learners recognize the need for a formal leadership curriculum to improve their effectiveness as physician leaders. Faculty perceive a need for and benefit from a formal leadership curriculum. METHODS: We conducted a needs assessment of faculty, fellow, and resident learners. The needs assessment was based on previously published data and a Likert-type scale was implemented to assess responses. Descriptive statistics were calculated using frequency for categorical variables and averages for scale variables. The needs assessment was administered via Survey Monkey, Inc. (www.surveymonkey.com). RESULTS: Seventy-three percent (66/90) of surveyed faculty, fellows, and residents responded. The majority (64%) of faculty responders agreed that learners needed a moderate to extreme amount of leadership training. Despite 95% of responders self-evaluating their leadership skills as moderately to extremely effective, only 45% were satisfied with their current leadership skills. Perception of a need for leadership training for faculty (77%) and trainees (88%) was similar. The most desired skills for a leadership program were conflict resolution, team building, mentorship, team motivation, and effective evaluation and feedback. CONCLUSION: Faculty, fellows, and residents are overall satisfied with their leadership skills; however, faculty and trainees alike perceive the need for more skill acquisition and training. The preferred learning format was case studies and small group exercises with availability of faculty and trainees noted as the most significant barrier to implementation.