Mission

The purpose of the Center for Medical Education Research (CMER) is to conduct policy oriented research on medical education with a focus on primary care education and career selection, and minority enrichment programs; to train medical education researchers, and to translate research into practical improvements in medical education.

Goals

The goals of the Center are to:

• Conduct policy oriented research in medical education
• Translate research into practical improvements in medical education
• Train medical education researchers

Academic Programs

The Department of Medical Education and Biomedical Informatics offers faculty development workshops, graduate courses in medical education and a new Teaching Scholars Program. Center faculty members have conducted over 65 workshops during the past academic year to faculty locally, regionally, and nationally. These workshops enhance faculty teaching, research and evaluation skills. The Department also offers graduate courses in medical education. The purpose of these graduate courses is to prepare medical school faculty members and graduate students for scholarly research, exemplary teaching and academic leadership. Graduate students and faculty members may pursue advanced studies in medical education through three programs:

• a doctoral degree program in the College of Education with studies in medical education
• a master's degree program in the College of Education with electives in medical education
• a Teaching Scholars Program leading to a Certificate in Medical Education.

The Teaching Scholars Program is a one year, part-time fellowship program for School of Medicine faculty members. The Program values, encourages, and supports the ongoing professional and educational development of participants and assists scholars in fulfilling their aspirations and their academic responsibilities. Participants are encouraged to view teaching as a legitimate subject of study and academic leadership as a potential career path. Program Faculty members foster an interactive learning environment in which participants can develop the professional and personal skills essential for success in an academic setting.

Research Projects

Five research projects were funded since CMER's inception in 1994.
View the complete details of each individual project below or view the full report.

1. The Influence of Educational Programs and Role Models on Students' Primary Care Career Choice (collaborative with UNC)
2. Development of a Specialty Preference Inventory for Admissions Procedures
3. Classification and Evaluation of Minority Enrichment Programs for Health Sciences Career Development
   1. Classification System for Evaluating Minority Enrichment Programs.
   2. Participation in Academic and Research Enrichment Programs and Entry into Medical School of under Represented Minority Students.
   3. Motivations to Become a Physician of Under-represented Minority College Students
4. Teaching Compassion and Respect to House Staff in General Internal Medicine.
5. Quality and Cost of Ambulatory Education

Center Faculty

Jan Carline , Ph.D. Principal Investigator, Department of Medical Education and Biomedical Informatics