Engaged and Satisfied: The Similarities and Differences Between Paid and Volunteer Faculty in Academic Medicine

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Abstract

Many medical schools rely upon volunteer faculty (VF), community physicians who volunteer to teach medical students, to accomplish their mission. These faculty face significant demands on their time to see patients, so it is imperative they feel engaged and satisfied within the context of their teaching role. This study compares survey data from paid and VF on engagement and satisfaction. Our results suggest that VF are as engaged and satisfied, if not more so, than paid faculty, with some notable exceptions in professional development and overall satisfaction. Engagement and satisfaction for VF are likely multifactorial, and those factors may differ from paid faculty members. More research is needed for institutions to understand the benefits of serving in this critical role.

Authors

• Zachary Morgan, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Krista Hoffman-Longtin

• Stephen John Cico, Indiana University - IUPUI

• Shawn Patrick, Indiana University - Indianapolis