What is the process for submitting workshop requests?
Effective immediately we are no longer accepting ad hoc workshop requests from institutions and are moving towards a model where institutional workshop requests will only be accepted at the beginning of each calendar year. You will still have the opportunity to host workshops at your institution in-person or virtually and will be given several workshop models to choose from below.
We recognize that many of you have offered Medical Education Research Certificate (MERC) at your institutions for years and want to ensure you that the AAMC and MERC Steering committee are dedicated to making this transition as smooth as possible and are available to guide you through this change.
Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the restructuring.
Please take a moment to review the information below in detail and feel free to reach out to us if you have further questions.
Why are we changing the way MERC is offered?
There are several factors that contributed to the restructuring of MERC. First, we wanted to ensure that we were equitable in our offerings of the program. In its current format, MERC is not accessible to individuals at many institutions as well as our international colleagues.
Second, we recognized that there were an abundance of program participants who needed 1 or 2 MERC workshops to earn their certificate, but had a difficult time doing so because the workshops were no longer being offered at their institution.
Finally, we received feedback from former workshop participants that the dates and times that the in-person workshops were offered were not conducive to busy clinical schedules. Ultimately, we believe that shifting to an entirely virtual model with open enrollment and a preset schedule will help to alleviate the mentioned above issues.
What workshop models are available?
Model #1- Virtual Cohort Model
We are aware that some institutions prefer to offer MERC virtually as a cohort model and would prefer to have their faculty progress through the workshop series together. It is our goal to continue to support this model by providing institutions with the opportunity to buy out an entire workshop at the cost of
$3,125 per workshop. If you elect to move forward with this model, we ask that you complete this form by September 30th, 2022. You will receive a response within one week of your request.
Please note that workshop requests submitted outside of this time frame will not be honored.
Model #2- In-Person Model
Beginning January 2023, we will resume offering in-person MERC workshops, by request. In this model the institution will be responsible for paying the AAMC licensing fee of $250 per workshop, the $750 facilitator honoraria that is paid per workshop, and reimbursing facilitators travel and lodging expenses.
If you elect to move forward with this model, we ask that you complete this form by Wednesday September 30th, 2022. You will receive a response within one week of your request.
Please note that workshop requests submitted outside of this time frame will not be honored.
Are all of the MERC workshops 3-hours in length?
Yes.
Do any of the workshops require any special arrangements?
Yes, the workshop focusing on Searching the Medical Education Literature is largely a hands-on learning experience, and requires a local health sciences librarian.
MERC will coordinate to provide a facilitator. What works best is if a local health sciences librarian can also participate in the session to provide an overview of the local resources and work with the presenter to assist participants.  It is also an opportunity for faculty to become acquainted with one of their local health science librarians.
What are the requirements for earning a certificate through MERC?
Participants must complete six workshops of their choice. Participants that have completed 6 or more workshops can register for their certificate. There is no fee for requesting a certificate.
Are there enrollment limits for the virtual or in-person workshops?
The minimum enrollment is 8 and the maximum enrollment is 25.
Does the AAMC provide CME credits for participants of the MERC workshops?
AAMC does not provide CME credits for MERC workshops.