programme director
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On May 20, 2021, the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS) Vancouver hosted a digital roundtable where Dr. Lisa Schirch, Senior Research Fellow and Social Media, Technology and Peacebuilding Programme Director at the Toda Peace Institute, presented on Social Cohesion and Conflict Dynamics on Social Media. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives.

Abstract Background Academic physician burnout is concerning. Too little is known about factors associated with residency programme director burnout. Continued uncertainty risks adverse outcomes including graduate medical education leadership turnover and negative impact on recruiting and retaining under-represented minority residency programme directors. Objective This study assessed symptoms of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization) and depression along with evidence-based individual and environmental risk factors in a U.S. sample of family medicine residency programme directors. Methods The omnibus 2018 Council of Academic Family Medicine Education Research Alliance survey was used to contact programme directors at all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited U.S. family medicine residency programmes via email. Descriptive data included programme director and programme characteristics, Areas of Worklife (workload, values and control), loneliness (lack companionship, feel left out and feel isolated), burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization) and depressive symptoms. Chi-square tests contrasted descriptive variables with burnout and depressive symptoms. Logistic regression (LR) modelled associations between significant descriptive variables and burnout and depressive symptoms. Results The survey response rate was 45.2% (268/590). Programme directors reported: emotional exhaustion (25.0%), depersonalization (10.3%) and depressive symptoms (25.3%). LR models found significant associations with emotional exhaustion (Workload: lacking time and other work-related resources); lack of companionship, depersonalization (North West Central residency region; Workload and lack of companionship) and depressive symptoms (Black/African American ethnicity). Conclusions One-quarter of U.S. programme directors report burnout or depressive symptoms. Future research should consider associated variables as possible intervention targets to reduce programme director distress and turnover.

The JDC-Lauder International Jewish Youth Camp at Szarvas is perceived today as the single most important Jewish outreach and educational programme in Central and Eastern Europe; it is a key symbol for Eastern European Jewry. This paper emphasises the importance of the Szarvas camp, located some 170 km south-east of Budapest in Hungary, and its impact on the Jewish identity of the Central and Eastern European participants, and by extension on their families and communities. It focuses on the camp’s history and uniqueness, and includes a personal experience on the part of the author, who has participated in the camp and today works as its programme director. It also presents information collected from those who have experienced the impact of the camp on themselves.

Abstract Background Educational leaders have been pointed out as being important for quality of medical education. However, their actual influence on the education can be limited. At the postgraduate level, educational leadership and its connection with quality is underexplored and knowledge about how to increase its impact is lacking. An increased understanding could be used in order to prioritize actions for strengthening the role. The aim of this study was to investigate factors related to the role of programme director associated with quality in postgraduate medical education. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out. A questionnaire was sent to programme directors in Sweden (n = 519) comprising questions about background factors, work characteristics, work tasks, hindering and enabling factors, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. A logistic regression and classification tree were used to identify factors associated with high qualitative education, defined as compliance with national regulations. Results The response rate was 54% (n = 279). In total, 62% of the programme directors reported high quality and factors associated with high quality included experiences of communication with residents, superiors and supervisors, and support from the supervisors. Other factors were consensus regarding postgraduate medical education at the workplace, adequate financial resources, the programme directors’ competence, and their perceived impact on education. Factors of particular importance seemed to differ depending on whether the programme directors were responsible for one or for multiple units. Most high-quality education was found in cases where programme directors were responsible for a single unit and perceived sufficient impact on education. Conclusions These results indicated that there was an association between factors related to programme director and quality in postgraduate medical education. The findings pointed out the importance of combining activities at both individual, group and organizational levels. Relational aspects should not be underestimated; faculty development and involvement are crucial.