1. Academic Advancement In Family Medicine: Moving from clinician to academic medicine
Kurt B. Angstman, MS MD, Associate Professor
Matthew R. Meunier, MD Assistant Professor
Sara S. Oberhelman, MD Assistant Professor
Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
STFM Round Table Discussion May 2014

2. Conflict of Interest
Dr. Angstman does have a consulting agreement with Tamber Health. Tamber Health did not review or participate in development of abstract or presentation.

3. Why is this important?? Summer 2013:
Dr. J. Noseworthy (Mayo Clinic CEO):
“ALL Mayo physicians are expected to advance academically”
We are all a part of an academic medical training center:
It is part of the job.

4. Introduction Levels of academic advancement
Progressing from instructor to assistant professor
Development of publications
Educational component
Leadership component

5. Academic Rank
Instructor – a promising beginning
Assistant Professor – educational achievements: publications and/or “educational efforts”
Associate Professor – national reputation, significant publications, effective teacher, institutional leader
Professor – continuity of outstanding achievement and focus

6. Instructor of Family Medicine
Academic promise in education, research, or practice
Collaborate and find mentors
Show interest and capability as a teacher (precept, curriculum or course development)
Show interest and capability as a researcher (collaboration and publications)

7. Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
Significant “educational achievements” and competence in either (or both):
a) collaborative or independent publications
or...
b) sustained and significant educational efforts
Clearly documented
Lectures or curriculum design
Teaching
Posters or presentations (STFM, state chapter, etc.)

8. Development of publications
Professor
Nationally ~20-45 for family medicine
Associate Professor
~10-25 publications
Assistant Professor
1-5 publications

9. Publications Initially, the numbers can be daunting
First paper can take months, if not over a year (or more).
WHY…… CONTINUE…..

10. Publications Write about “what you are doing…”
Look for projects based on what you know and are conversant in.
DON’T re-create the wheel
Every new project then requires new literature search and review
DON’T initially plan on large, randomized controlled studies.
Much simpler to start with chart reviews, database searches, pilot studies
DO develop a template

11. Starting small FPIN Family Physicians Inquiries Network
FPIN Institute
Educational program on reviewing literature, writing, etc.
Directed educational process for early career writing

12. Starting small Case report studies
Sometimes challenging to find appropriate journals
Literature review
Survey studies
QI projects

13. Starting small Volunteer to be a co-author
You do need to put some effort into it.
Science is not just “copy editing”
Best to add original input and some references
Mentoring is good for mentor and mentee.

14. Starting small Guideline development
In some institutions, peer-generated and reviewed guideline development can be used toward academic advancement
Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (

15. Publications Start small
Ask others who are doing projects, papers if you can help- be a co-author
Look for mentors
DON’T be too choosy with journals
Always peer-reviewed
Impact factor is important
But early in career- becoming experienced in the process is also important.
Many, many journals to select from; all looking for content

16. Publications Plan on “singles” rather than swinging for the fences.
One paper can change a career- but more likely you have smaller manuscripts that you keep building upon.
Helps drive future direction
“Science is not testing a hypothesis and getting a result- science is getting the result and saying “What now can I do with this information- what is the next study.”
Sam B. MD/Phd Student at Mayo
Remember to cite your prior work when appropriate

17. Presentations
Again- start small, start local; gradually increasing size and impact of conferences
At national forums
Many times initially will be poster presentations
Usually there are templates to help design the poster
Conceptually, try to “tell your story” in the equivalent of power point slides
Will be easier to develop presentations in the future- if you have a consistent track record of presenting and doing well in previous years
Abstracts of papers can allow for presentation of ideas, critical discussion, meeting collaborators and improving your reputation through relationships

18. Presentation Skills Workshops helpful Practice/ Practice/ Practice
Stage fright- consider beta blocker
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
Nothing worse than a presentation that is “canned”
Always adapt the presentation to the conference needs
Please be respectful of time limits

19. Educational Components
Academic promotional consideration does involve an educational component
You won’t be promoted for “doing your job”- you are a teacher, you’re expected to teach.
But- signs of excellence- awards, certifications, longstanding dedication can be taken into account.

20. Educational Components
Mentoring is key.
Document in your CV

21. Leadership Components
Usually is overlooked
Society organizations
Clinic roles
County or state roles, committees.
Document in your CV

22. VERY IMPORTANT
YOU are not an expert in XYZ waiting to advance in academic rank
YOU BECOME an expert over time by publications, presentations and reputation
Many younger colleagues are stymied as they don’t see themselves as the expert– and they aren’t… yet

23. Questions?? THANK YOU! Dr. Kurt Angstman angstman.kurt@mayo.edu
Dr. Matthew Meunier
Dr. Sara Oberhelman
Department of Family Medicine
Mayo Clinic Rochester MN