Did you know that 31 percent of all designated institutional officials (DIOs) of ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institutions attend the ACGME Annual Educational Conference? In addition to the robust educational offerings designed specifically for the DIO community, this statistic underscores what an important networking opportunity this event provides. As one DIO attendee noted after the 2018 conference, the experience provided space for “Impactful networking while answering helpful questions. Also, hearing other individual approaches and solutions is very beneficial. Have already started making changes…on the plane home.”
So as a new or even experienced DIO attendee, what can you expect and what should you look forward to? As noted in previous posts, pre-identified conference learning tracks for different attendee roles can be found beginning on p. 12 of the Conference Brochure. A track specifically focused on institutional representatives can be found on p.15. Following are some key highlights.
THURSDAY PRE-CONFERENCE ESSENTIALS: DIO 101 AND DIO 102
The Thursday, March 7 pre-conference schedule includes two DIO-focused pre-conferences, DIO 101: The Basics of Institutional Accreditation (designed for new DIOs) and DIO 102: Improvement and Innovation in the Sponsoring Institution (designed for both new and more experienced DIOs). The 101 course, which runs the first half of the day, provides a comprehensive overview for new DIOs. With both didactic and interactive components, topics focus on the role and responsibilities of the DIO with regard to overseeing ACGME-accredited programs and compliance with the accreditation requirements. The 102 course that follows the lunch break builds on the morning program, emphasizing professional development of the DIO as a health systems leader. Some 2018 attendees summed up their experience like this:
This full-day course was awesome! Thanks so much—this is exactly the boot camp I needed to start my role as a DIO.
An excellent source of knowledge and networking for the new or first-time DIO.
I will be able to implement more structure and strategy as it relates to institutional accreditation.
OTHER NOT-TO-MISS SESSIONS
Just as for coordinators, the opportunities go well beyond the pre-conferences. The schedule for the full conference is packed with sessions selected to enhance attendees educational experience. With 27 individual sessions called out in the Institutional Learning Track on p.15 in the Conference Brochure, there’s no shortage of options! Some specifics to consider:
SES004: Institutional Accreditation Update
Led by the ACGME’s Institutional Accreditation section and Institutional Review Committee leadership, this session, which takes place from 1:30-2:15 p.m. on Friday, March 8 provides an update on activities of the Institutional Review Committee and is heavily attended and highly reviewed every year.
SES124: Institutional Town Hall
From 3:30-5:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, March 9, attend this forum where you’ll be able to ask questions about ACGME Institutional Accreditation, and the Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) Program at an open mic.
CLER Program Sessions
Throughout the conference, numerous sessions on different aspects of and experience with the CLER Program will be important for DIOs at all levels of experience. New this year, the CLER Program is facilitating four “Special Topics” sessions on Saturday, March 9, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Limited to 12 participants each, each focuses on a narrow topic of interest. Find descriptions of these Special Topics sessions on p. 71 in the Conference Brochure.
Sunset Session: Successful Practices for Engaging Residents and Fellows in Patient Safety
Learn more about the ACGME’s Pursuing Excellence in Clinical Learning Environments initiative at this special Sunset Session on Friday evening, from 5:15-6:30. Draw on the knowledge and expertise of peers and colleagues working to produce patient safety programs for residents. Using the NCICLE framework, nine Sponsoring Institutions that created immersive patient safety learning programs will share innovative approaches to deeper learning about systems improvement.
There are also several stimulating plenaries you want to have on your schedule. Following the Welcome and Opening Remarks on Friday morning is a session on the NAM Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience with Perspectives from the Leaders, and after a break, you have a choice from among three truly exciting presentations: Using Public Data to Follow GME Graduates in Clinical Practice; Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: The Responsibility of Physicians; and NIDDK Initiatives to Eliminate Health Disparities and Train a Diverse Workforce. Learn more about these featured sessions here. And please plan to attend this year’s Marvin R. Dunn Keynote Address, a very special Fireside Chat with 19th Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Vivek H. Murthy and ACGME President and CEO Dr. Thomas J. Nasca, on Friday morning at 10:30, as well as
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