Perspectives of Hospitalists in an Academic Health System

Area of Science:

• Medical Professionalism
• Healthcare Management
• Physician Well-being

Background:

• High turnover rates and short tenures are common in the Hospitalist role.
• Understanding Hospitalist perspectives on workload and satisfaction is crucial for retention and quality of care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Hospitalist perspectives on workload and its impact on patient care.
• To evaluate Hospitalist satisfaction with compensation, quality of life, academic support, and promotion opportunities.

Main Methods:

• A 49-question survey was developed, incorporating the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and specific topics related to Hospitalist practice.
• The survey utilized a 4-point Likert-type scale and was electronically distributed to all 32 Hospitalists at the institution.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of burnout (exhaustion and disengagement) and high patient census were reported, negatively affecting patient care.
• Hospitalists reported a lack of mentorship, insufficient time for scholarly activities, and dissatisfaction with compensation and paid time off.
• The majority felt their input was not considered in administrative decisions and lacked support for academic promotion.

Conclusions:

• Academic institutions must conduct self-assessments using clinician feedback to address Hospitalist burnout and satisfaction.
• Addressing workload, burnout, and improving support for scholarly activities and promotion are essential for Hospitalist retention and optimal patient care.