A compendium of higher education opportunities in health professions education

The authors assembled a compendium of programs world wide that are dedicate d to teaching individuals how to direct, research, or improve the education of health professionals. To accomplish this task, in 1996 and 1997 they in terviewed and corresponded with researchers in the health professions and w ith staffs of faculty development fellowship programs listed in the 1966 Fe llowship Directory for Family Physicians, and consulted several postings on the DR-ED listserv. To be included in the compendium, the program had to b e specifically focused on health professions education. Out of 51 possible programs, 17 were identified. The authors then sent a questionnaire to the staffs of these 11 programs, asking for program descriptions and informatio n about curricula, students, graduates, costs, and financial aid. Detailed data were received from 15 programs from three continents. Eleven programs offered master's-level degrees and five offered Phn degrees. The m ajority had flexible study-time arrangements. Graduates of such courses hav e already assumed leadership prosition in health professions education and research around the world. The authors hope that their compendium of progra ms will help guide health professionals who seek to improve their skills in health professions education.