National Initiative X

The AIAMC’s eighteen years of experience with nine successful National Initiatives provide a rich and unique resource to the clinical learning environment community.  We have engaged numerous key leaders, including the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), American Hospital Association (AHA), American Medical Association (AMA), the Assembly of Osteopathic Graduate Medical Educators (AOGME) and many others, and look forward to their continued input and support.  The AIAMC is also an inaugural member of the National Collaborative for Improving the Clinical Learning Environment (NCICLE), which represents more than 40 major health care organizations working to improve the educational experience and patient care outcomes within clinical learning environments. 

WHY the Clinical Learning Environment?

The clinical learning environment is the foundation of graduate medical education, directly shaping the professional development, well-being, and competency of future physicians. The rapidly evolving landscape of modern healthcare, including emerging technologies, workforce shortages, and growing complexity of patient care, demands that physicians are trained in settings that promote adaptability, lifelong learning, and resilience.  Strengthening the clinical learning environment ensures that training is optimized to support high-quality learning while prioritizing patient safety and quality interprofessional collaboration, and physician well-being (ACGME, 2023).  Standardizing best practices across institutions can help to foster equitable learning experiences, strengthen professional identity formation, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.  Evidence indicates that a well-supported clinical learning environment contributes to improved trainee engagement, reduced burnout, and higher retention rates, directly benefiting both learners and the healthcare system as a whole (Guille and Sen, 2024).  By investing in the clinical learning environment, GME programs can create sustainable learning environment not only to meet the challenges of healthcare but also to lead its transformation. 

OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES OF NATIONAL INITIATIVE X

At the end of NI X, each participant will have engaged learners and leaders and transformed their clinical learning environment.  Specific goals and outcomes for NI X include:  

• Assess and benchmark the current state of your clinical learning environment

• Develop, implement, and measure initiative(s) designed to enhance learner experiences and outcomes within your clinical learning environment

• Engage with senior leadership, including the C-Suite, in reviewing policies and regulatory requirements impacting the clinical learning environment, identifying opportunities for improvement and strategic alignment

• Achieve significant and measurable enhancements to the clinical learning environment, disseminating strategies and results within your organization’s Micro, Meso, and Macro environments

• Collaborate regionally and nationally to identify, implement, and disseminate best practices for optimizing the clinical learning environment

• Author one or more peer-reviewed scholarly products documenting insights, outcomes, and innovations emerging from National Initiative X

Application: A completed application is required for consideration, and a member of the selection committee may follow up with a phone consultation, if needed.  Completed application forms are due to Mindi Apicella, AIAMC Administrative Coordinator, in Word format via email mindi@aiamc.org no later than June 2, 2025.

Team: Each selected participant must have a team identified prior to the start of NI X, composed of:  

A. Identified Team Leader who will be responsible for 

(1) The project from conception to completion including establishing and maintaining a collaborative, interprofessional team charged with aligning team aims with measures and methods to improve care 

(2) Submitting all reports, documents, and NI X required evaluations on time 

(3)    Ensuring that the team is represented at all NI X meetings, local on-site meetings, and cohort   

     Zoom meetings or webinars

B. The composition of each team must include:

(1) Resident(s)/Fellows(s): Ideally, these team member(s) should be available to participate throughout the entire project, i.e., graduate on or after June 2027, to ensure continuity of team membership throughout the entire project period (Summer 2025 through Spring 2027).  In addition to GME, the AIAMC is broadening its focus to include Pharmacy learners  

(2) Faculty, Program Director(s) and/or DIO seeking opportunities to align with and exceed the ACGME’s Common Program Requirements and Institutional Requirements.  In addition to GME leaders, the AIAMC is broadening its focus to include Pharmacy leaders

(3) Representative from your hospital or health system’s C-Suite, including CEO, CMO, CFO, and others

(4) At least one representative from a unit/office in your hospital or health system aligned with your project aim and processes (e.g., IT, community outreach, quality, safety, patient experience)

Meetings: 

 Attendance of the team leader or his/her designee at all meetings is required.  Other team members may attend as schedules and budgets allow.  The four learning sessions will be held as follows:

Meeting four commitments include a staffed poster display and attendance at the annual awards dinner.

Zoom Meetings and Webinars: In addition to attending the four meetings, NI participants will be required to participate in bi-monthly Zoom cohort meetings and webinars.  During these activities, timely and educational topics will be presented, progress reports will be shared, and participants will network and brainstorm with one another regarding how to implement sustainable and positive change more successfully.

Financials:  

AIAMC Members: The participation fee for AIAMC member institutions selected is $4,250.  Payment options are available.  In addition to the participation fee, member institutions will be responsible for covering any costs incurred for travel to on-site meetings.  The participation fee will cover one registration for each of the four meetings.  In support of the AIAMC’s strategic plan, team members representing pharmacy will also be eligible for free meeting registrations.  If additional team members wish to attend the meetings, they may do so at a rate of $275 per person per meeting.  

Non-Members: The participation fee for non-AIAMC member institutions selected is $6,500.  Payment options are available.  In addition to the participation fee, institutions will be responsible for covering any costs incurred for travel to meetings.  The participation fee will cover one registration for each of the four meetings.  In support of the AIAMC’s strategic plan, team members representing pharmacy will also be eligible for free meeting registrations.  If additional team members wish to attend the meetings, they may do so at a rate of $275 per person per meeting.  

Alternatively, institutions eligible for membership may join the AIAMC at the regular annual dues rate of $6,825 and participate in National Initiative X for just $2,125.  A membership application form https://aiamc.org/become-member must be submitted by June 2nd to be eligible for the 50% new-member discount.

For More Information, contact Kimberly Pierce Burke, AIAMC Executive Director, at kimberly@aiamc.org