Insights Into the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Workforce: 2024 Data and Recent Trends for Programs.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Hospital Medicine
• Healthcare Workforce Studies
• Medical Education

Background:

• Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) programs are evolving, necessitating an understanding of current work models.
• Previous studies in 2021 established baseline data for PHM program structures and workforce characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe current work models in US Pediatric Hospital Medicine programs.
• To compare 2024 work models with 2021 data.

Main Methods:

• A 2024 cross-sectional survey was distributed to physician leaders of PHM programs in the US.
• The survey was adapted from a 2021 study and refined by experts, with respondents recruited via professional networks.
• Responses were compared to 2021 data where applicable.

Main Results:

• 219 PHM leaders responded, representing diverse program types.
• Median annual hours for a 1.0 Clinical Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) decreased slightly to 1800 from 1849 in 2021.
• Community programs reported higher annual hours/FTE and more in-house night coverage than university-based programs.

Conclusions:

• Total annual work hours in PHM are stable or decreasing.
• Most programs do not mandate board certification/eligibility for employment.
• Significant differences persist in annual hours by site type, and incentives for undesirable shifts are inconsistent.