Modular
Design
Overview
The
Academy is based on a modular system of adult education
designed to enhance the overall academic quality and stature
of the WMS in support of organizational strategic goals.
The modules are building blocks that can be used to achieve
various outcomes. They may be applied separately or together
to take advantage of their natural synergism. When linked
by governance and leadership they form the components of
an academic academy.
Diagram
of Academy
Summary List of Modules
1. Core Curriculum
2. Presentation Library
3. Exportable Curricula
4. Support to the Resident-Student Elective in Wilderness
Medicine
5. Test question database
6. Support to WMS conferences and activities
7. Listing of WMS Faculty
8. WMS Faculty Certification Program (WMSFCP)
9. WMS Educational Achievement and Recognition Program
(EARP)
10. Practitioner registry leading to Fellow of the Academy
of WM (FAWM)
11. WMS Researcher Certification Program (WMSRCP)
12. Listing of WMS Researchers and Research Mentors
13. Repository of WM Research Questions
14. Support to WMS Research Grants
15. Support to WMS publications (journal and magazine/newsletter)
16. Expandable Internet applications
Description of the Modules (see the diagram of
the modular design)
1. Core Curriculum
The Academy relies upon an extensive curriculum
of Wilderness Medicine topics. This curriculum is evidence
and objectives-based with numerous individual topics. It
is designed to easily expand as needed. The curriculum is
used to support other modules in the Academy including the
elective and research programs, conferences and publications,
as well as the practitioner registry (FAWM) and the Educational
Achievement and Recognition Program (EARP). It is supported
by a corresponding standardized presentation library and
may be divided into four main sections: Clinical/Medical,
Field Craft, Faculty Development, and Research. The clinical
category is further sub-divided into General and Sub-discipline
WM topics. The core curriculum uses a unique identification
system (UIS) that allows cataloging of topics and tracking
of learning events in support of Academy programs.
2. Presentation Library
This electronic library of presentations
corresponds to and supports the core curriculum. It uses
standardized guidelines with respect to appearance and formatting.
Each presentation is distinct but draws from a uniform motif
for appearance. The library may be expanded to use voice-over
lectures to be made available on CD/DVD or online. Short
videos of procedures and techniques may be added.
3. Exportable Elective Curriculum
The curriculum may be distributed as individual
lessons or in various combinations to serve as educational
support materials for seminar, conference, course, or elective
programs. This is an internet-based process with faculty,
directors, and students ordering or downloading curriculum
materials online that are tailored to their specific needs.
4. Support to the Resident-Student Elective in
WM (RSE)
The Academy supports the RSE by providing
curriculum review; presentations from the library, syllabus
material from the core curriculum, as well as test questions
from the curriculum-linked database. Faculty for the RSE
may be selected from the WMS Faculty Registry. Student input
during the elective will add to the Research Question Repository.
5. Test Question Database
To be considered valid, medical education
is becoming increasingly outcomes-based. The Academy programs
will reflect this trend by providing a database of test
questions based on the material in the core curriculum.
WMS experts will review these to ensure currency, accuracy,
applicability, and ease of understanding. Enrollees in the
Academy’s programs may use subject examinations for
validation of knowledge achieved through web-based learning
experiences. The database will support Academy modules in
both written and online formats.
6. WMS Conference Support
Academy support to WMS conferences will
be similar to that provided to the RSE as described above.
Faculty-trained and certified program Chairs may be selected
from the WMS Faculty Registry. They may, in turn, preferentially
(though not exclusively) select their faculty from the same
registry. Pre and post-conference workshops conducted to
support the EARP and the practitioner registry (FAWM) will
use elements of the core curriculum, presentation library,
and the test question database for their instructional programs.
Main conference topics will be selected from those existing
in the standardized core curriculum and faculty will be
provided with standardized, pre-approved presentation materials
from the library. The program of instruction at these conferences
will be designed to support the overall academic curriculum
of the WMS that provides topics in sequence and frequency
that support the EARP and practitioner registry leading
to the Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM).
7. WMS Faculty Registry
After being trained at one of the WMS Faculty
Development Seminars, Faculty will be formally recognized
and placed in a central registry. Chairs and faculty for
conferences and other WMS activities will be preferentially
selected from this list.
8. WMS Faculty Development &
Certification Program (WMSFCP)
The FCP is a simple, cost-effective WMS
Faculty Development Program that is easily sustainable and
supports the Society mission and vision by maintaining the
high quality of instruction at WMS activities. A member
becomes certified as “Faculty” by attending
a one-day faculty development seminar. These seminars are
held in conjunction with other WMS conferences (i.e. pre
or post conference seminars). Members who become certified
faculty are entered into the Faculty Registry and may be
preferentially selected to be conference chairs and faculty.
The
Academy has begun a program to strengthen the core WMS faculty
by offering a Faculty Certification in a standardized faculty
development program. It further allows the recruitment of
program faculty and chairs from among members certified
as WMS teaching faculty. The overall, long-term effect will
be to enhance the quality of all WMS activities and, in
turn, the reputation and prestige of the organization. Incorporating
this program as a module of the Academy provides continuity
of methods and ensures standardization of content.
In
order to ensure a professional atmosphere at WMS functions,
a standardized presentation style and format are used. This
includes standards for oral presentations, syllabus formatting,
electronic visual presentations, and other training aids.
This further enhances the quality of programs by providing
a common direction and emphasis used by all program chairs
during conception, planning, and design phases of WMS conferences.
Through
a robust faculty development program the WMS sets itself
apart from other Wilderness Medicine educational organizations
by focusing specifically on providing high quality teaching.
The WMS will become known for the strength of its faculty
members and the high caliber of their instruction.
The
Academy of Wilderness Medicine believes that good teaching
doesn't simply happen. Teachers can be taught and faculty
must be developed in order for learners to get the most
value out of their CME experience. Adult education principles
are not profession-specific and "teaching is teachable."
The WMS committed to academic excellence and is willing
to dedicate resources to the mechanics of teaching and presentation.
Those
who become certified as WMS Faculty are recognized with
formal certification as well as with a distinct emblem and/or
article of clothing to be worn at conferences. Faculty-certified
members may be preferentially selected to serve as Program
Chairs and/or conference faculty.
One-day
faculty development courses are held in conjunction with
WMS conferences as pre or post-conference workshops. Faculty
for these workshops are recruited from within the existing
WMS membership or contracted to conduct the workshop.
A specific FCP curriculum has been developed. Candidates
are awarded the "WMS Faculty" certification upon its completion.
Many WMS members are involved with medical education in some fashion and
actively seek ways to blend this part of their profession
with their passion. The Academy answers this call by offering
general faculty development workshops at conferences.
This makes WMS activities much more attractive to the multitude
of medical educators and other academicians from all disciplines
that have faculty development as part of their required
continuing education plan.
Offering FCP workshops presents an opportunity to expand the attractiveness
of WMS conferences beyond the traditional WM topics.
Faculty
Development Curriculum topics (modified based on length
of seminar)
·
Excellence
in Teaching
·
Feedback
and Evaluation
·
Teaching
to large audiences: Dynamic Lectures
·
The Adult
learner
·
Giving effective
feedback
·
Diagnosing
and teaching different learner types
·
Small group
teaching
·
Perk up your
presentations: The appropriate use of training aids
·
Teaching procedures
and hands-on format
·
Diagnosing
the problem learner
·
Curriculum
development
·
Writing Objectives
·
Public Speaking
in an Academic Setting
·
Writing for
Publication
·
How to be
a Program Chair
(Listing of WMS Faculty
Members)
9. WMS Educational Achievement and Recognition
Program (EARP)
The EARP formally recognizes progressively
higher levels of academic achievement by members in connection
with WMS educational activities. Members are recognized
after attending a pre-established number of lectures or
sessions catalogued in the core curriculum. This is tracked
by the Academy and occurs at three levels corresponding
to three separate awards (Matterhorn, Denali, and Everest
awards).
Overview
In
support of the WMS strategic planning guidance, a permanent,
electronic database is established for all members as an
additional benefit of membership. The purpose of this database
is to track attendance at WMS sponsored educational activities
with the goal of recognizing members with unique educational
achievement awards. This is the WMS Educational Achievement
Recognition Program (EARP). The appropriate recognition
of academic achievement and certification within the WMS
depends on the establishment of a dependable academic record
for each attendee.
Designing
an organizational support system around the all-volunteer
membership presents certain challenges. It is in this
area that the WMS is most closely related to other professional
organizations. People are typically motivated to higher
levels of performance and identification with an organization
through incentives. Nonprofit organizations are not
exempt from this principle-the incentives are simply different.
These may include: Peer recognition, awards programs, affiliation
with a prestigious, high-quality organization that sets
high standards.
The WMSEARP
recognizes levels of academic achievement attained by attending
WMS conferences, meetings, seminars, and related activities.
This is a multi-tiered awards program designed to enhance
membership retention and involvement through incentives.
It seeks a balance between academic challenge and realistic
goals of attendance.
Detailed
Description
The
program is designed to recognize only WMS-sponsored or hosted
lectures, presentations, classes, seminars, or workshops
(hereafter referred to as sessions). A database is
constructed so that it automatically tracks the attendance
of each WMS member for purposes of the EARP and advises
the staff when someone is eligible for an award based on
pre-established parameters. The database may be queried
at any time to check on the progress of any attendee.
To be recognized for academic achievement by the Academy through the EARP,
participants must be current members of the WMS. The EARP
considers for recognition only those learning activities
engaged in while the participant was an active WMS member.
Apart from
WMS membership, there is no formal enrollment required or
fees associated with accumulating credit for or being recognized
by the EARP. Resident and student members are eligible for
recognition.
There is
no mechanism recognized by the Academy for retroactive review
of EARP related activities.
The Academy
establishes standards describing three separate levels of
academic achievement. These are based on WMS sponsored/approved
sessions attended and recorded in the database. Limits and
benchmarks are set at a level deemed appropriate by the
Academy Director, subject to approval by the EXCOM.
No time
limits are established for the achievement of award levels.
Level
1: The Matterhorn Award requires completion of 30 total hours
in general wilderness
medicine CME acquired at an officially sanctioned Society
function and attendance 3 or more approved WMS conferences.
This may take 2 to 3 years to attain and is recognized by
a high quality certificate and mention in a special section
of the WMS newsletter as well as during the annual scientific
meeting in front of peers.
Level
2: The Denali Award requires completion of 70 total hours in
general wilderness
medicine CME acquired at an officially sanctioned Society
function and attendance at 7 or more approved WMS conferences.
This may take 5 to 7 years to obtain. It is recognized by
issuance of a high quality certificate, a congratulatory
letter from the WMS President, and mention in a special
section of the WMS newsletter. It is to be awarded personally
by the President (or member of the BOD in his/her absence)
at the annual scientific meeting in front of peers. In addition,
a distinctive emblem is designed for wear at WMS activities
that clearly identifies the wearer as someone of high academic
achievement within the organization at this level.
Level
3: The Everest Award requires completion of 120 total hours in
general wilderness
medicine CME acquired at an officially sanctioned Society
function and attendance at 12 or more approved WMS conferences.
This may take as many as 8 to 10 years to obtain. This EARP
level is recognized by a high quality, distinctive certificate,
a congratulatory letter from the WMS president, special
mention in the WMS newsletter, and formal presentation in
front of peers at the annual scientific meeting. In addition,
a distinctive emblem is designed for wear at WMS activities
that clearly identifies the wearer as someone of high academic
achievement within the organization at the highest level.
Consideration may be given by the EXCOM to awarding special
discounts on WMS-related merchandise, registration and membership
fees.
10. Practitioner Registry (Fellowship in the Academy)
The practitioner registry provides the means
and methodology whereby any qualified practitioner meeting
the criteria determined by the Academy can choose to be
listed in the registry and receive the title Fellow of The
Academy of Wilderness Medicine TM (FAWM). The Academy formally
recognizes as Fellows those medical professionals that have
met certain criteria and have achieved WM-related qualifications
differentiating them from others working in the discipline.
It provides to the public and commercial entities a listing
of Wilderness Medicine practitioners who have met eligibility
criteria. The practitioner registry supports the Academy
and WMS strategic goals by using the core curriculum of
Wilderness Medicine categories, topics, and skills as an
educational basis for eligibility. It advances the recognition
of Wilderness Medicine sub-disciplines supplemental to the
core requirements.
11. WMS Researcher Certification Program (WMSRCP)
Similar to the FCP certification described
above, the RCP is a method of enhancing the quality of research
in Wilderness Medicine. WMS members are become recognized
as Researchers in WM after completing a one-day Introduction
to Research seminar held in conjunction with other WMS conferences
(pre or post conference seminars). Full certification is
awarded after the first WM-related research proposal is
reviewed by the Research Committee. Certified members are
entered as such in the WMS Researcher Registry discussed
below.
12. Listing of WMS Researchers & Research Mentors
Members are voluntarily listed on an Academy
website list by having experience in conducting research
and/or completing the RCP seminar. Prospective and new researchers
interested in WM-related topics may access this list and
contact these members for assistance.
13. Wilderness Medicine Research Question Repository
Members are queried via the WMS Magazine/Newsletter,
announcements at conferences, and by personal contact to
submit questions for potential WM-related research projects.
These are compiled, cataloged and listed on an Internet
site. Additionally, the core curriculum is closely examined
for weak areas in the evidence used to support commonly
held beliefs and practices. These questions are announced
and advertised. In order to actively develop the evidence-based
dimension of the core curriculum, WMS research grants may
be awarded preferentially to projects derived from questions
on this list.
14. Support to Research Grants
The WMS Research Committee may preferentially
award annual research grants to those projects that directly
support the core curriculum by directly or indirectly addressing
questions listed in the repository described above. This
focuses and organizes the WMS research grant program in
a fashion that supports known deficiencies in existing WM/EM
knowledge and directly links it to the strategic goals of
the Society.
15. Support to WMS Publications
The Academy may support the Journal of Wilderness
and Environmental Medicine as well as the WMS Magazine through
coordination and review of content, recognizing CME for
provider registry credit, and submission of academic and
research related materials for publication.
16. Internet Applications
All of the above is incorporated into the
official WMS Web Site using up-to-date and innovative applications
that not only improve access to and use of the information,
but serve as a source of additional revenue for the Society
via web-based distance learning and access to down loading
of educational materials. Members seeking to become Fellows
in the Academy may satisfy some academic requirements through
topics presented online with associated web-based, learning-focused
examinations.
