Faculty Collaboration Database

Forces affecting community involvement of AHCs: perspectives of institutional and faculty leaders. Acad Med 2002 Jan;77(1):72-81

Date

01/15/2002

Pubmed ID

11788329

DOI

10.1097/00001888-200201000-00017

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0036137913 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   25 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To understand the external and internal factors that either facilitated or were barriers to an academic health center's (AHC's) involvement in community-based education, research, and clinical care; community service; and community or economic development activities.

METHOD: Eight AHCs in the United States were selected by objective criteria for their significant community involvement. Chief executive officers, vice chancellors, deans, and the individuals responsible for community-based education, research, and community service responded to written surveys. Responses were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analyses.

RESULTS: The overall response rate was 79% (n = 91). Public perception, an increased focus on a population health perspective, and an increased call for AHCs to be accountable to local and statewide constituents were cited as the most significant external factors contributing to an AHC's community involvement. Institutional leadership, familiarity with community-based organizations, institutional climate, faculty and student interest, and institutional structures were cited as the most significant internal facilitators of community involvement. Fiscal concerns, competition for community-based training sites, lack of collaboration across health professions schools, and inadequate faculty roles and rewards were viewed as the most significant barriers to community involvement. All respondents reported that their AHCs' orientations towards community service, and community-based teaching, research, and clinical care would increase in the next five years.

CONCLUSION: Development of a strategic plan may increase the effectiveness of an institution's community involvement. Central to this plan should be a restructuring of faculty roles and reward polices and an increase in faculty release time to promote community involvement. The importance of involving the community in the planning and implementation of community-campus partnerships should not be underestimated.

Author List

Calleson DC, Seifer SD, Maurana C

Author

Cheryl A. Maurana PhD Interim Provost, SVP Str Acad Ptnrshp, Dir, Prof in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Academic Medical Centers
Community-Institutional Relations
Cooperative Behavior
Humans
United States