A novel hospitalist peer observation program to improve educational and operational rounding practices

Academic hospitalists must balance trainee education with operational demands to round efficiently and optimize hospital throughput. Peer observation has been shown to support educator development, however, few hospitalists have formal training to optimize both skill sets. We sought to extend and adapt peer observation programs to equally focus on education and operations-based outcomes. During the 2-year study period, 76 of 98 (78%) eligible faculty participated in a structured, real-time peer observation program. Immediately after observing a peer, 42% of respondents planned to adopt an operations-related rounding behavior. Following program completion, 77% of respondents endorsed the implementation of a new rounding behavior learned from a peer, with a third of these behaviors related to clinical operations. Ninety-five percent of respondents endorsed at least a moderate degree of program satisfaction. High levels of engagement and sustained behavior change following program participation suggest clinical operations are an important addition to peer observation programs and faculty development initiatives.