Overview

Medical education leaders such as program directors face myriad crises, from pandemics to natural disasters to resident substance use. Facing these crises is daunting and demanding. Managing crises in medical education often occurs through leadership teams, which may include associate program directors, program coordinators/program administrators, faculty, and chief residents. We will work from the personal stories of the speakers and participants to define the crises that GME leadership teams face. We will then discuss an evidence-based approach to optimizing leadership teams before a crisis and strategies for effective leadership during a crisis. Using group discussion and reflection exercises, we will share best practices for leading in current or future crises, highlighting the role that character traits play in leading through difficult times. The approach is grounded in the organizational psychology and business literature and can be easily applied to medical education. Participants will leave with 1) a framework for leading before, during, and after a crisis; 2) a list of resources for assessing their teams' strengths and weaknesses; and 3) an action plan for strengthening their team now for the next crisis.

Speakers

Kathlyn Fletcher, MD
Aimee Zaas, MD
David Hamel, MD

Content Track

Faculty Development

Audience

GME

Program Type

University-Based, Community-Based

Additional Information

Year Published: 2025 - APDIM Fall Meeting 2025