Connecticut State Medical Society Physicians Health and Education Fund

Physician Leadership Academy: A Program of the Young Physician Leadership Curriculum

The primary purpose of the YPLC is to provide structured learning opportunities for young physicians to develop a comprehensive skill set that serves as a foundation for physicians to develop as educators and leaders. The structure of the program is five three-hour interactive learning sessions. Each session will be multi-modality including, but not limited to, subject matter content, small group activities and presentations, role play and coaching, as well as holding opening and closing reflection circles to promote the internalization of leadership qualities.

The curriculum will provide experiences and opportunities for physicians to develop skills in policy analysis, advocacy and leading organizational change in multicultural environments through organized medicine. This cohort’s curriculum will also focus on young physician burnout – a growing concern throughout the young physician community, which has been heightened given the current COVID-19 pandemic and the limited staffing and other resources contributing to burnout among young physicians.

The YPLC advances the concept that effective clinical care is a coordinated effort that requires a teamwork approach which must be orchestrated in a fluid manner with all members of the team striving to achieve a common goal. The YPLC will focus on improving participants’ ability to negotiate and apply critical thinking and executive decision-making skills. These skills are presented as necessary for physicians to master to navigate the challenges and changing forces of healthcare reform that command attention not only in the clinical arena, but in administrative and advocacy forums as well.