Table 3.
Areas for Improvement Identified by the Graduates of the Program
| Topic | Feedback | Current steps taken to address concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Shadowing | 1. Shadowing on a more frequent basis than 1 shift per quarter. 2. Streamlined method to help shadowers locate the medical team; attendings rarely responded to emails. 3. More subspecialty exposure. |
1. As pandemic restrictions eased, the shift offerings increased. 2. Shadowers now contact the senior resident on the medical team prior to their shift to ensure they can easily locate the team. 3. Prior to 2020, shadowing shifts were offered daily in the inpatient internal medicine department. THINQ program has since expanded to the geriatrics and outpatient internal medicine clinics. |
| Research and projects | 1. More frequent meetings or updates on projects to the general cohort. 2. Having members propose and execute new projects they can independently run with the help of the THINQ Board and other members. 3. More opportunities for all members to participate in projects. 4. More opportunities to present at conferences. |
1. A section has been added to monthly general meetings for project leads to present updates on their work and take questions from the cohort. 2. After presenting at the department’s quality retreat in December (2022), the executive board has been able to network and find more projects for fellows to be involved in. 3. Research coordinators designated to find and put together groups for conference presentations. |
| Career development | 1. Structured leadership committee presentations based on what the cohort wants to learn, improve, or practice. 2. More speakers from different health care fields talk about their career paths and journey. 3. Establishing a better alumni network. |
A database of alumni has been organized to help find frequent guest speakers and mentors for fellows. |
Responses to the question “In your opinion, what are areas for improvement in the THINQ program?” are organized into 3 main themes. For feedback provided by former fellows that has since been addressed, an explanation of steps taken has been provided in the third column. Some responses have been edited or paraphrased for length and clarity.
Abbreviation: THINQ, The Healthcare Improvement and Innovation in Quality.