Chief Resident Leadership Program: A New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Physicians Initiative

In 2009-2010, the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP) embarked on a chief resident leadership development program offered to all Internal Medicine chief residents in New Jersey. The goal of the program was to inspire chief residents to consider leadership opportunities and to improve leadership behaviors and skills. Following a five-hour training session, chief residents were offered the opportunity to participate in leadership activities and additional training sessions over four and one-half months. Effectiveness of the entire program was measured using mixed methods with two instruments: the validated Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) and a Leadership Survey created by the author that contained structured and open-ended questions. Twenty-one (21) chief residents received the 5-hour training and 9 residents completed the entire program. Chief residents reported improved leadership behavior in the LPI domain “Inspire a Shared Vision”, with positive trends in the other LPI domains. They reported significantly improved confidence to articulate a vision, to negotiate, and to resolve conflicts with positive trends in motivating team members, serving as a change agent, listening skills and networking. Most chief residents felt that the program increased their interest in additional leadership training. Several chief residents commented that the program expanded their view of leadership and their leadership roles. Seven of the nine chief residents who completed the entire program achieved the national ACP Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) certificate.