The Journey to Becoming a Teaching Hospital [Checklist]

As hospital and health system leaders contemplate the possibility of graduate medical education (GME) participation at their institutions, many questions may arise about the cultural, strategic, operational, and financial implications of becoming a teaching hospital. It is important to consider these factors in the context of the educational and accreditation-related requirements that must be fulfilled as discussions take place regarding the desire and ability to develop new teaching programs, as illustrated in figure 1.

This entire process can take 24 to 36 months to complete, and it requires input and consideration from a variety of stakeholders, including administrative leaders and physician champions. Becoming a teaching hospital can be an exciting and transformative event for a hospital. However, given the long-lasting implications, starting the journey requires a well-thought-out plan to ensure a viable and successful GME enterprise. The checklist below can serve as a roadmap for executives as they begin this process.

See an overview of the major considerations and implications of becoming a teaching hospital in our webinar “The Nuts and Bolts of Becoming a Teaching Hospital,” which includes a review of typical planning and program development milestones to measure progress.