Academic Medicine: Vice Chairs’ for Education Perceptions of Departmental

Abstract

Department chairs are responding to external pressures by legitimizing new educational leadership positions, like the vice chair for education (VCE), to keep pace with the complex medical education climate. Departmental culture has implications on VCE success and retention. In a cross-sectional qualitative study we examine departmental culture from the perspective of 17 VCEs in medicine. VCEs describe current behaviors and values of their departmental cultures via web survey as a primary source. They also characterize the ideal culture they believe would help them thrive in the position. Findings revealed that most found satisfaction with their role, but sought collaborative cultures.