Perspectives of Hospitalists in an Academic Health System

OBJECTIVES: The primary outcome of this study is to assess the perspectives of Hospitalists on their workload and their perceived effects on patient care. The secondary outcomes are to evaluate the satisfaction of the Hospitalists with their compensation, quality of life, scholarship activity and promotion in their department and the support received to achieve this, METHODOLOGY: We developed a 49-question questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on (a) Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and (b) topics specific to census, compensation, academic support with desire for promotion, and the effects of workload on patient care and teaching. All questions were formatted with a 4-point Likert-type response scale. The questionnaires were distributed electronically using an online survey platform to all 32 of the Hospitalists at our institution. CONCLUSION: Each institution needs to do a self-assessment based on clinician feedback: Hospitalists workload, burn-out and satisfaction to reduce the high turnover rates and brevity of this role. From this study in this academic institution, the perspectives of Hospitalists revealed a high level of burn out (exhaustion and disengagement) and high assigned patient censuses that negatively impact their ability to deliver optimal patient care. Most Hospitalists reported lack of mentorship and inadequate time allocated for scholarly activity. The majority reported not having their input on decisions made by the administration that directly affect them. Most were unsatisfied with their compensation and the lack of PTO (paid time off). The majority would like to be promoted in this academic institution but feel unsupported to achieve this goal.