Achieving Promotion Within Different Systems

Career promotion can be a topic that elicits anxiety and frustration. Physicians may feel that they are being graded for their work and compared with their peers for a limited number of coveted positions. However, this does not have to be the case. Understanding an institution’s promotion criteria and process can empower physicians to optimize their work portfolio to be appropriately recognized. It is important to understand the different promotion tracks at their institutions. Though there are variations, promotion tracks generally fall into one of four categories: research, clinical, service/administration, and education. Appreciating the different criteria for these categories will provide physicians with a sense of when a promotion is appropriate and the opportunity to craft professional activities toward this goal. As with grant applications or manuscripts, preparing the promotion package takes significant time and work but should be well worth the effort. Seeking advice from mentors and recently promoted staff is a practice that can save significant time. Understanding an institution’s promotion process and timeline will allow a physician to adjust his or her expectations. Ultimately, the promotion process is intended to recognize a physician’s talent and work, so it should be seen as a welcomed opportunity.