Scholarly activities recorded in the portfolios of teacher-clinician faculty

Purpose. To explore what contributions to scholarship teacher-clinician fac ulty list in the portfolios that they use as evidence for promotion. Method. In 1998, the authors randomly selected 15 Harvard Medical School te acher-clinicians (five from each rank of assistant, associate, and full pro fessor) from among 120 such faculty members who had been successfully promo ted between 1990 and 1997. Using a descriptive research study design, the a uthors counted and categorized the contributions to scholarship, teaching, and committee service that the faculty listed in their portfolios. They did not assess the quality or weighting of the contributions. Results. According to the portfolios, the faculty members had contributed t o both reaching and scholarships at local, regional, and national levels. T hey listed not only peer-reviewed original journal articles, bur also works that integrated and synthesized knowledge: specifically, chapters, textboo ks, editorials, syllabi, newsletters, computer resources, and videotapes. F aculty generally had published in multiple areas of scholarship, which fell in two domains: the faculty member's subspecialty and medical education. T he number of publications increased at each promotion level. The faculty al so participated in broad-based teaching and education at the student, resid ent, fellow, and continuing medical education levels. Leadership contributi ons in education had occurred nor only locally and regionally but also at a national level. Finally, faculty participated actively in service to the m edical school, hospital, and national organizations, with leadership roles at the associate and full professor levels. Conclusion. The academic culture at Harvard Medical School has shifted from promotion based solely on original scholarship to promotion based on a bro ad array of educational contributions. The faculty, as they seek promotion, create portfolios that list written scholarship, teaching, and service at the local, regional, and national levels and at all ranks of promotion.