Methodology, Respondents, and Past Topics for 2024 CERA Clerkship Director Survey.

Abstract

Introduction: CERA, the Council of Academic Family Medicine (CAFM) Educational Research Alliance, is a collaboration between four family medicine organizations to conduct omnibus surveys of different groups within family medicine. This article describes the methodology of the 2024 Clerkship Directory (CD) Survey, presents the demographic results of respondents, and categorizes CD topics from 2012 through 2024.

Methods: Five topics for the annual CD survey were selected via peer review after a call for proposals in early 2024. The survey was sent to family medicine clerkship directors from June 4, 2024 to July 12, 2024. We used χ² tests to compare the demographics of sampling frame against the sample to determine if they were representative of the sampling frame. We used program records to describe past survey topics.

Results: One hundred seventy-nine surveys were sent out; after receiving updated clerkship information, the final 2024 pool size was 173 survey recipients (158 in the United States and 15 in Canada); 91 clerkship directors completed the survey, with a response rate of 52.60% (91/173). We compared demographic data of sampling frame with the sample. There was no significant difference in demographics including location, gender, race/ethnicity, underrepresented in medicine status, or MD degree. CD survey topics from 2012-2024 included 6 on preceptors, 29 on content/curriculum, 8 on grading/assessment, 8 on administration, and 9 on other.

Discussion: 2024 Clerkship Directory Survey respondents are representative of clerkship directors. From 2012-2024 the most studied topic was content/curriculum. The Clerkship Director Survey continues to offer important scholarship opportunities and insights into current themes in undergraduate medical education.