Educational scholarship as a route to academic promotion: a depiction of surgical education scholars

Background Education is the central component of academic medicine. Historically, academic promotion has favored clinician-investigators over clinician-educators. However, there are increasing numbers of individuals pursuing education scholarship as their academic focus. This study sought to describe these individuals and their experiences with academic promotion. Methods A cross-sectional survey of surgical educators was undertaken, eliciting demographic data and attitudes toward educational efforts and promotion. Results Advanced academic rank was associated with male gender, age, publication on education topics, funding for research in education, recipient of teaching awards, and status as officer in an education association. Conclusions Educational scholarship is a viable pathway for academic promotion when sentinel components are included.