Psychiatry Clinical Statement

This document describes the specific criteria and standards which will be used to evaluate whether candidates meet the general criteria for advancement in Clinical Scholar Track. The criteria listed for each rank provide benchmarks to be used for promotion. Each candidate for appointment and/or promotion will first be judged in their major area of interest and accomplishment. Thus, a person focusing their efforts on teaching will be judged on accomplishments in this area, initially, and then reviewed for competence in research, clinical work, and University service. It should be noted that expertise in applied medical science service does not qualify a person for advancement.

The criteria, standards and procedures are applied without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status or sexual orientation.

Clinical Departments at the University of Minnesota Medical School have been establishing Clinical Scholar tracks, but only in the Spring of 2003 did the Medical School provide general guidelines for advancement in this new track. Briefly stated, in the Department of Psychiatry, members of the Clinical Scholar track provide substantial clinical service often teaching residents and medical students in the process. Some activities, such as training duties, are also performed by Clinical Scholars. The Clinical Scholars provide outstanding value to the Department of Psychiatry by their clinical teaching, didactics, clinical research and service. The purpose of this document is to provide criteria to guide advancement for those qualified clinical scholars.

Initial appointment in the Department of Psychiatry is based upon credible training, letters of reference attesting to clinical skills and commitment to patient care, and demonstrated academic interests during training. For the Clinical Scholar track, evidence of academic interest may include teaching experiences, initiation of a course, or development of teaching materials.

Please refer to above regarding general guidelines. Criteria for appointment as instructor includes completion of an accredited training program, fellowship, or psychology internship. Instructor is generally a rank for a psychiatrist who is preparing for ABPN Boards. Faculty with other specialty training may be considered.

A candidate for promotion or initial appointment above the level of instructor will fulfill the criteria listed below for assistant, associate, and full professor. As with the regular track, an area of focus or distinction has generally been developed by the clinical scholar. This area will be the most carefully examined while competence in other areas is required. Demonstration of meeting the standards will be by the candidates curriculum vitae and letters of reference (faculty and students). Attachments of articles or teaching materials developed by the candidate are acceptable.

The Department of Psychiatry accepts and subscribes to the statement on Criteria and Standards for Promotion of Faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with the following standards specific to the department.

A candidate for Assistant Professor may be moving from an Instructor level having passed Boards (ABPN) or may be an initial appointment. The four criteria listed below should be met:

1. Development of teaching materials, including new curriculum offerings, educational programs, textbooks, syllabi, computer programs, or videotapes that significantly improve the method or quality of instruction at his or her hospital or the Medical School.

2. Recognition by peers and students as an excellent clinical teacher. There should be documentation of competence and growth in the candidate's skills of communications, including effective communication in teaching students.

3. Recognition by peers and students as a health care professional committed to quality patient care or related patient service.

4. Board Certification by the ABPN is required for psychiatrists to advance to this rank.

A candidate for promotion to Associate Professor is judged according to the following standards. A candidate who fulfills one of the criteria 1-5, still needs to evidence excellence in clinical care and teaching based on letters of recommendation.

OR

2. Publications of clinical observations, reviews, analytic studies or textbook chapters in journals that are recognized as authoritative and that are influential or often cited.

OR

3. Teaching activities may occur in a variety of educational settings and formats, including: didactic presentations, lectures, seminars, conferences, tutorials, laboratories, grand rounds, hospital and clinic rounds, patient care, and continuing education.

Continued exceptional and high-quality contributions to the teaching of medical students, residents, fellows, postgraduate students or CME is required. Recognition of high-quality teaching should be available from formal peer evaluations, student evaluations, teaching evaluations, or teaching awards. Impact and value of teaching should be recognized beyond the local level, as demonstrated by invitations to teach in other hospitals, other medical schools, programs of professional, societies or continuing medical education courses.

4. With regard to clinical distinction, an excellent reputation inside and outside the Twin Cities area as an authority in a clinical specialty, as demonstrated by patient referrals from outside the area, invited visiting lectureships, and memberships in professional societies is required. Suggested measures of excellence in this area are listed below:

PLUS

5. Service on University, local, national organization committees and leadership in University/national professional organizations will be highly considered.

A candidate for promotion to Professor is generally considered to be a person with evidence of national recognition who is judged according to the standards listed below. As with the more junior ranks, excellence in teaching (including mentorship) and clinical care is needed. Service on University, local, national organization committees and leadership in University/national professional organizations will be highly considered.

OR

2. Development of original teaching materials, such as new curriculum offerings, educational programs, syllabi, video materials, or computer programs that are widely used not only locally but also throughout the country.

OR

3. Recognition for being among the very best teachers for medical students, residents, specialty fellows, or CME attendees. Impact of superb teaching should be apparent locally and nationally as demonstrated by invitations to teach in specialty societies and national CME courses, by invitations to serve as visiting professor or named lecturer.

OR

PLUS

5. Service on University, local national organization committees and leadership in University/national professional organizations will be strongly considered.

The Medical School issues annually to each department, for distribution and information to faculty members, a set of instruction, memoranda, and other documents, giving detailed information of the procedures to be followed in promotion in rank. The pertinent documents are identified as exhibits enclosed with a cover memorandum from the Dean.

Designated non-tenured faculty members holding appropriate appointment and rank at affiliated hospitals are eligible to vote on proposals for promotion in rank of candidates, in accordance with approval for this procedure granted by the University Tenure Committee and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Department of Psychiatry

Clinical Scholar Track Statement

Approved September 1, 2005

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