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Defining Scholarship for Today and Tomorrow

Milner, Robert J
Flotte, Terence R
Thorndyke, Luanne E
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Journal Article
Publication Date
2022-12-21
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Abstract

Scholarship, required for academic advancement, has traditionally been defined narrowly, not keeping pace with the expansion of faculty academic activities in health professions schools. How can we refine the definition of scholarship so that it better aligns with the scope of current faculty practice within academic health systems? Revision of the academic policies for promotion and tenure at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School afforded an opportunity to redefine scholarship such that a broader platform was available for faculty recognition, aligning with current academic standards, yet providing flexibility for the future. The authors describe the historical context of the definition of scholarship and their institution's process to construct a definition of scholarship with three essential elements: advancement of knowledge, dissemination for critical review, and impact on a discipline, practice, or community. Application of this definition to team science and digital scholarship is also described. Following a widespread continuing education initiative, implementation of the new definition within promotion and tenure processes of the medical, nursing, and graduate schools resulted in broad acceptance across the institution. This forum article provides lessons in leading an academic health sciences institution to reassess academic processes and is a resource for advancing the vigorous debate on the evolving meaning and evaluation of scholarship.

Source

Milner RJ, Flotte TR, Thorndyke LE. Defining Scholarship for Today and Tomorrow. J Contin Educ Health Prof. 2023 Apr 1;43(2):133-138. doi: 10.1097/CEH.0000000000000473. Epub 2022 Dec 21. PMID: 36728995.

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10.1097/CEH.0000000000000473
PubMed ID
36728995
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Copyright © 2022 The Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions, the Association for Hospital Medical Education, and the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education.
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