Providing 0.1 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Support to Fellowship Core Faculty Improves Faculty Involvement in Fellowship Education and Recruitment.

ABSTRACT

In 2022, the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) recommended that core faculty (CF) in medical subspecialty fellowships receive at least 0.1 full-time equivalent (FTE) salary support, with plans to enforce compliance in July 2023. After early feedback raised concerns about potential unintended consequences, ACGME deferred enforcement to July 2024. Hence, there is an urgent need to understand the ramifications of providing FTE support for CF. In 2020, the Yale hematology and medical oncology (HO) fellowship program began providing 0.1 FTE support to all CF. Perceptions regarding this were assessed via surveys distributed to all CF in 2021 and 2022 and to all HO fellows in 2021. The vast majority (83.3%) of CF survey respondents reported improved job satisfaction and an increased sense of involvement in the fellowship program as a result of the new 0.1 FTE-supported CF program. Most CF increased attendance at fellowship conferences, devoted more time to mentorship, and increased participation in recruitment. In free text comments, CF respondents described that providing 0.1 FTE support made them "feel rewarded," gave them "a sense of commitment" to the fellowship, and helped "offset clinical requirements." HO fellows reported "a positive impact" of the new program with faculty being "more present at lectures." The median number of times faculty were available to interview fellowship applicants rose markedly after introduction of the program. The FTE-supported CF program was viewed enthusiastically by fellows and faculty, resulting in increased CF involvement in fellowship education and recruitment.