Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence

Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence
	“Caring” sculpture commissioned by Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence
Founded	2011
Headquarters	The University of Chicago
Location	Chicago, Illinois, United States;
Director	Mark Siegler, MD
Website	bucksbauminstitute.uchicago.edu

The Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence was established in September 2011 with a $42 million endowment gift from the Matthew and Carolyn Bucksbaum Family Foundation.^[1] The Institute's mission is to improve patient care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, enhance communication and decision-making in healthcare, and reduce healthcare disparities through research and education programs for medical students, junior faculty, and master clinicians of the Institute.^[2]

Mission and Objectives

The primary objectives of the Bucksbaum Institute are:

Improving Patient Care: Enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.
Strengthening the Doctor-Patient Relationship: Fostering a collaborative and trust-based relationship between doctors and patients.
Enhancing Communication and Decision-Making: Improving communication and decision-making processes in healthcare settings.
Reducing Healthcare Disparities: Addressing and reducing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.^[3]

Core Programming and Initiatives

The Bucksbaum Institute has developed a range of programs and initiatives to fulfill its mission:

Core Programming

Schwartz Rounds: Hosted in partnership with the University of Chicago Medicine Biological Sciences Division Office of Faculty Affairs, these rounds provide healthcare providers with opportunities to discuss resilience, work-life harmony, and the impact of technology on the doctor-patient relationship.^[4]
Pilot Grant Program: This program encourages and supports faculty research, awarding over $215,000 in pilot grants to Bucksbaum Scholars in the past year alone.

Education and Mentorship

Junior and Senior Scholars: The Institute selects classes of Junior Scholars, Senior Scholars, and a Master Clinician annually.
Medical Student Involvement: The Institute selects Bucksbaum Medical Student Scholars starting in their first year of medical school and funds students pursuing scholarly work related to its mission.
Clinical Excellence Scholars Track (CEST): A program for pre-medical students, which transitioned to being fully managed by the Bucksbaum Institute and includes activities like small-group physician discussions, shadowing, and engagement dinners.[1]

National and International Outreach

The Clinical Excellence Podcast: This podcast features conversations on pertinent issues facing the doctor-patient relationship and has been downloaded over 10,000 times by listeners in more than 80 countries.^[5]
Academic Publications: The Institute published a special issue of Academic Medicine in June 2023, featuring 17 articles by Bucksbaum Faculty Scholars.^[6]

Innovations and Future Directions

The Bucksbaum Institute is continually exploring new programs and initiatives, including:

Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence National Award: Recognizing physicians who demonstrate dedication to clinical excellence and mentorship.^[7]
hArt of Medicine Physician Coaching Program: Expanding to train more physicians as coaches.
Certificate Program for Joel Schwab, MD “On Being a Doctor” Lecture Series: Engaging pre-medical students in a deep exploration of the doctor-patient relationship.^[8]
Patients as Teachers Event Series: Providing insight into the experiences of patients with chronic illness, oncology/clinical trials, and trauma.^[9]

Over the past twelve years, the Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence has established itself as a leader in advancing the quality of patient care and medical education. Through its innovative programs and commitment to its mission, the institute continues to make a profound impact on the healthcare community, both nationally and internationally.