Strategies for Implementing the IM Structured Evaluative Letter at Your Institution

Education leaders play an important role in the transition of learners from undergraduate to graduate medical education. As recommended by the Coalition for Physician Accountability and the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine, one important step in optimizing this transition is through the development and implementation of structured evaluative letters (SELs). As program directors have ndicated dissatisfaction with department of medicine summary letters, SELs afford an opportunity to provide a more holistic view of an applicant's possible strengths and areas of growth utilizing a common format and competency-based language. Following AAIM's development of a recommended SEL template, UME leaders and advisors have faced the challenge of adopting the SEL within the context of their individual institutions.

In this workshop, SEL authors from two medical schools will share their processes and tools for adopting the recommended format, including approaches to the inclusion of narrative observations and quantitative data. Specific attention will be given to approaches taken to inform the qualifications for internal medicine section of the letter. Aprogram director will also share perspective on how SELs can be used during the process of holistic applicant review. The workshop will utilize small group breakouts and larger group discussion to enable participants to share the challenges they have faced and the approaches they have taken in adopting the IM SEL at their institutions.