Implementing and Evaluating a Fellowship for Community-Based Physicians and Physician Assistants: Leadership, Practice Transformation, and Precepting

Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions (06/14/22) Casola, Allison R.; Cunningham, Amy; Crittendon, Denine; et al.

Researchers developed the Jefferson Primary Care Champions Fellowship program to offer practical education, practice transformation, and leadership experiences for community-based primary care physicians and physician assistants. The fellowship's first cohort met monthly and engaged in student precepting training. In addition, senior clinician administrators, scientists, educators, and population health researchers mentored participants to refine their leadership and practice transformation skills. The four fellows in the cohort were community-based family physicians in Philadelphia. Their overall feedback was positive, with individual time, small-group mentorship, protected project time, and open-robust discussions on primary care considered the most helpful factors of the fellowship. Three participants expressed plans to continue post-fellowship practice-improvement projects and one published her initial project conclusions and thoughts. "Fellows greatly appreciated structured time to explore primary care interests, contemplated long-term career prospects, and considered leadership opportunities," the authors note.

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