Throughout their educational program, residents work hard to become the best doctors they can possibly be. They study, they train, they soak up everything they can about medicine and their specialty. For some, the hard work during residency culminates in being named chief resident.
Appointment to a chief residency is an impressive honor, one that demonstrates an exceptional level of clinical competence and innate leadership skills. Chief Residency offers physicians an introduction to working in an administrative capacity within the health care system, while simultaneously continuing their clinical education and leading their residency programs. Different skills are needed for success in this complex role. Chiefs are responsible for the academic and clinical success of the residents, serving as a liaison between hospital management and the residency program. In short, the role of a chief resident isn’t just about medicine; it’s about leadership.
Outstanding medical skills are not the same as leadership skills, and many newly appointed chief residents find a gap between their education and training and their new leadership role. To bridge that gap, the ACGME offers the Leadership Skills Training Program for chief residents.
What is Chief Camp?
“Chief Camp,” as the course is sometimes casually and affectionately known, was developed to give newly appointed chief residents the chance to explore essential components of leadership and communication. The three-day course draws chief residents from organizations of all sizes all over the country. The course is open to all disciplines so that participants gain a broad perspective on their duties, as well as opportunities to build valuable and lasting cross-disciplinary professional relationships.
Chief Camp’s intensive, interactive, and highly experiential format allows participants to discover and build their own leadership strengths in a safe, protected environment. Because the course is designed specifically for chief residents, the challenges inherent in that position are addressed in detail. Participants learn strategies for integrating a diverse group of residents into a cohesive, high-functioning community of clinician leaners. The course also provides a chance for participants to synthesize ideas they have about their own programs into specific, pragmatic plans for improvement they can take back and implement. As one recent participant mentioned, “I feel empowered and motivated to implement positive changes for my residency program and to handle all things related to chief.”
Preparation is the Key
With good preparation, the role of chief resident can be one of the most interesting and professionally satisfying positions a physician can have during graduate medical education. That role will be even more satisfying with proper preparation and guidance. Chief Camp allows chief residents to begin their role with new perspectives and tools to refine their leadership skills over the course of the year.
“Awesome chief camp!” one participant told us, adding that “the insight that you gain from this experience and the relationships that you build are priceless!”
To learn more about the ACGME’s Leadership Skills Training Program for Chief Residents, and to register for an upcoming course, visit the course page on the ACGME website.