• Susan M Pollart, Valerie Dandar, Linda Brubaker, Linda Chaudron, Leslie A Morrison, Shannon Fox, Elza Mylona, and Sarah A Bunton.
• Dr. Pollart is Ruth E. Murdaugh Professor of Family Medicine and senior associate dean for faculty affairs and faculty development, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia. Ms. Dandar is senior research and member services specialist, Faculty Forward, Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC. Dr. Brubaker is professor of obstetrics and gynecology and dean, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois. Dr. Chaudron is senior associate dean for diversity and professor in psychiatry, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York. Dr. Morrison is vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of neurology and pediatrics, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dr. Fox is senior director of research, American Academy of Physician Assistants, Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Mylona is vice dean for faculty affairs and professional development and professor of medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Bunton is research director, Organization and Management Studies, Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC.
• Acad Med. 2015 Mar 1; 90 (3): 355-64.

PurposeTo describe the demographics of part-time faculty at U.S. medical schools and to examine their satisfaction with and perceptions of their workplace.MethodFaculty from 14  Liaison Committee on Medical Education-accredited U.S. medical schools participated in the 2011-2012 Faculty Forward Engagement Survey. The authors calculated descriptive statistics of part-time faculty respondents and used ANOVA and t test analyses to assess significant differences between and among demographic groups.ResultsThe survey yielded an overall response rate of 62% (9,600/15,490). Of the part-time faculty respondents, most had appointments in clinical departments (634/674; 94%) and were female (415/674; 62%). Just over 80% (384/474) reported a full-time equivalent of 0.5 or higher. The majority of part-time faculty respondents reported satisfaction with their department and medical school as a place to work (372/496 [75%] and 325/492 [66%]); approximately half agreed that their institution had clear expectations for part-time faculty (210/456; 46%) and provided the resources they needed (232/457; 51%). Significant differences existed between part- and full-time faculty respondents regarding perceptions of growth opportunities and compensation and benefits, with part-time faculty respondents feeling less satisfied in these areas.ConclusionsAs institutions work to improve the satisfaction of full-time faculty, they should do the same for part-time faculty. Understanding why faculty choose part-time work is important in encouraging the recruitment and retention of the most talented faculty. The findings of this study indicate multiple opportunities to improve the satisfaction and engagement of part-time faculty.

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