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Is there a Perceived Shortage of Anatomy Educators? An International Study
Author(s) -
Wilson Adam,
Notebaert Andrew,
Schaefer Audra,
Moxham Bernard,
Stephens Shiby,
Mueller Caroline,
Lazarus Michelle,
Katrikh Aaron,
Brooks William
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2019.33.1_supplement.440.2
Subject(s) - economic shortage , european union , medical education , descriptive statistics , medicine , psychology , statistics , business , mathematics , linguistics , philosophy , government (linguistics) , economic policy
Purpose In 2002, a widely publicized report projected an anatomy educator shortage based on the perceptions of department chairpersons. Now, 16 years later, with the number of medical and health professions programs higher than ever, does a perceived shortage of anatomy educators (AEs) continue to persist? If there is a shortage, how severe is it and is it a global phenomenon? Methods This study replicated and expanded upon the previously published 2002 report. Two surveys were internationally distributed to 1) departmental leaders and 2) trainees (i.e., graduate students and postdoctoral fellows) within anatomy‐related departments. Trends in the number and type of AE job openings were also explored by analyzing job postings within the US over the past 2 years. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate perceptions, historic trends, and future projections. Results The majority (51% or more) of departmental leaders who responded from the US/Canada (n=81), the European Union (n=52), and ‘other countries’ (n=26) anticipate they will have ‘moderate’ to ‘great’ difficulty hiring AEs in each of the four classic anatomy disciplines over the next five years. Within the US alone, the number of AE job postings for allopathic and osteopathic medical schools has increased from a minimum of 17 postings in 2017 to 25 postings (and counting) in 2018. While the number of open AE positions within the US/Canada and ‘other countries' is perceived to remain in a steady state over the next 5 years, the European Union estimates a 5 fold increase in the number of openings. Departmental leaders prioritize AE applicants who have teaching experience (90%), the ability to teach multiple anatomy disciplines (72%), and the knowledge/experience of employing different teaching pedagogies (65%). Through the eyes of most (67.2%) trainees, the current job market is perceived to be highly competitive. Conclusions Based on the perceptions of international departmental leaders and trends in documented job postings, the job vacancy gap for AEs continues to widen with the European Union projecting the greatest need for AEs over the next 5 years. Trainees' perceptions that the job market for AEs is competitive might be explained by a mismatch in how AEs are trained and the types of applicants departmental leaders are seeking. Support or Funding Information AAA This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .