Create healthy relationships between faculty members for the benefit of everyone

The relationships between a university’s faculty members can be crucial in shaping well-being, student performance and the institution’s outcomes as a whole. In health professional education, they directly impact student success and overall programme quality. Faculty members shape the learning environment, and their interactions with students can significantly influence self-efficacy and academic performance.

Open communication between staff and leadership

To start, we can improve the relationships between faculty leaders. This can be achieved with these actions:

Establish regular, transparent communication channels such as meetings, open-door policies and feedback forums to ensure that staff feel heard and valued. 

• Flip the script on criticism
• Embracing disagreement in research co-production
• Advice for effective cross-team collaboration for research

We can support continuous learning and career advancement by providing access to training programmes, workshops and conferences. These methods can encourage faculty to pursue further education and certifications, and demonstrate commitment to their growth.

Implementing mentorship programmes – matching up experienced faculty with new members – can facilitate knowledge transfer and professional guidance, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

We must acknowledge achievements and contributions through awards and public recognition. A celebration of faculty successes can boost morale and motivation.

We should create opportunities for interdisciplinary and team projects to enhance innovation and strengthen relationships. Offering flexible work schedules and wellness programmes can help reduce burnout and improve overall job satisfaction. 

Build relationships between faculty and students

One way to improve faculty relations in educational institutions is to foster positive faculty-student interactions, which will in turn create an engaging, supportive and effective learning environment. We can achieve this relationship through the following methods:

• Establish channels for open and transparent communication between students and faculty. This can include regular office hours, online forums and feedback sessions. The students should feel that their educators are approachable and are listening to their concerns, ideas and feedback. By encouraging a two-way dialogue, we can build trust and understanding between students and their faculty.
• Engage the students actively in the learning process through interactive teaching methods such as case studies, simulations and group discussions. Staff can involve students in research projects, clinical rotations and hands-on activities, providing them with practical experience and fostering a sense of partnership in the learning journey.
• Implement mentorship programmes. During the meeting of faculty members with their mentees, they can guide students to improve their academic and professional performance, provide them with feedback, help them reflect on their learning, analyse their weaknesses and strengths, and create an action plan to improve their performance. Mentorship provides personalised support, career advice and academic guidance, helping students navigate their educational paths more effectively and improve faculty-student bonds.
• Leadership plays a crucial role in managing faculty relations. Leaders should lead by example, demonstrating the values and behaviours they wish to see in their staff. Showing respect, transparency and a commitment to excellence will inspire the same in others.
• Foster a supportive and inclusive classroom atmosphere, where students feel safe to express their ideas and ask questions. Educators should aim to create a respectful and non-judgmental environment that encourages active participation and collaboration. Moreover, it is crucial to offer timely, specific and constructive feedback on student performance that can guide their learning process and professional development.

Create bonds between colleagues

Of course, it’s important to manage any conflict or incivility between faculty members. This creates a positive and productive academic environment, and can be achieved by implementing the following strategies:

• Encourage open and transparent communication and create safe spaces where faculty can express their concerns without any fear of retaliation. Regular meetings and anonymous feedback systems can facilitate this.
• Provide training workshops in communication skills to equip staff with the tools to handle disputes constructively and professionally. These workshops could be on active listening, negotiation and mediation techniques.
• Develop clear policies regarding acceptable behaviour and conflict resolution procedures, ensuring that all faculty members are aware of these policies and understand them. 
• Encourage a culture of mutual respect and professionalism by highlighting the importance of respectful interactions and modelling these behaviours at all levels of leadership.
• Address conflicts promptly before they escalate. We can use neutral mediators to facilitate discussions between conflicting parties, aiming for a fair and amicable resolution.
• Provide support systems for faculty well-being, such as counselling services and stress management programmes. A healthy work environment reduces the likelihood of conflict.
• Acknowledge and reward positive behaviour and collaborative efforts, to create a positive work environment and reinforce desirable behaviours.
• Regularly gather feedback from faculty about their experiences, concerns and suggestions for improvement. We can use surveys, focus groups and one-on-one meetings to collect insights and enable us to address any concerns.

Managing faculty relations in health professional education requires a multifaceted approach focused on communication, support and recognition. By fostering open dialogue, promoting professional development and recognising achievements, institutions can create a collaborative and respectful environment. These strategies enhance faculty relations and contribute to a positive and productive academic community.

Rania Shalaby is associate professor of biomedical science at Dubai Medical College for Girls.

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