Campbell University’s Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine announces the Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE). The medical school’s newest degree program is designed to train clinicians as educators and leaders, enable clinicians to enhance their practices, improve population health, and increase capacity for training more health professionals in areas of need.
Campbell Medicine’s mission is to prepare community-based osteopathic physicians to care for rural and underserved populations, and the MHPE degree course of study was created to help address those needs by preparing health professionals as teachers and leaders who will help train future health professionals in the rural and underserved community setting. By providing healthcare professionals with essential skills to thrive as faculty and leaders in the country’s expanding health professions’ schools, this program will assist in improving care delivery to address the needs of all populations, but especially rural and underserved.
“The United States is experiencing a dramatic growth in health professions training programs: not only medical schools, but physician assistant
programs, nursing schools, and other disciplines,” said Dr. Victoria Kaprielian, associate dean for faculty development and medical education and MHPE program director. “However, one of the challenges faced by these schools and programs – especially those in rural areas – is finding qualified clinicians to teach.Interested clinicians don’t always feel prepared to teach and feel especially unprepared for leadership roles in education. This is particularly problematic for starting residency programs in areas where healthcare providers are already in short supply.”
The courses are taught by an interprofessional faculty representing Campbell’s School of Education, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Lundy-Fetterman School of Business with physicians, physician assistants and other health professionals in the classroom. The degree is designed to focus on development of practical skills – theory and evidence-based education is taught and put to use right away. The program is currently in the second semester of its pilot phase, and those enrolled state they enjoy working together to obtain peer and faculty feedback and apply the lessons through the projects.
The program is 30 credits, delivered over 6 terms utilizing a distance-based format enabling clinicians from across the country to enroll. Participants have assignments they complete at their convenience as well as weekly video conferences where they can get to see and to know the faculty and their classmates.
“The first year focuses on developing clinical leadership skills – we look at leadership styles, governance and administration structures, and teaching skills. In the second year, we focus on curriculum delivery and design and completing a master’s project,” explained Dr. Kaprielian. “Anyone interested in pursuing an academic position in health professional education would be a great candidate. Also, clinicians who want to develop their leadership skills or learn how to be better teachers. It’s also a great opportunity for junior faculty to learn what they need in order to advance for promotion or tenure. Our graduates are prepared to work in clinical leadership roles, academic teaching and administration, and other positions where health-related leadership and educational skills are essential.”
This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $705, 431 with 15% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the US Government.
To learn more and apply to the Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) program, you can visit our website at www.medicine.campbell.edu/mhpe or you can email us at mhpe@campbell.edu.