2023 State of Hospital Medicine Report (Electronic Version)-Section 1: Executive Summary and Overview

Section 1: Executive Summary and Overview

Pdf Summary

The 2023 State of Hospital Medicine Report, released by the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), offers a comprehensive overview of the hospital medicine field post-COVID-19 pandemic. It is the first report of its kind since early 2020, capturing data related to hospital medicine group structures, operations, and challenges from 2022. SHM introduced the inaugural Hospital Medicine Workforce Experience Survey to gather insights directly from individual hospitalists, which is included for the first time in this report.<br /><br />The field of hospital medicine has shown resilience with steady growth, evidenced by an increase in full-time equivalent (FTE) physicians, despite fewer hospital medicine groups (HMGs) participating this year. The report indicates that hospitalists continue to play a crucial role in the healthcare system, with numbers in the workforce growing by approximately 2,000 hospitalists annually since 2019, reaching a minimum of 44,000 in the U.S.<br /><br />Financially, hospitalists are faring well, and while burnout is prevalent, the occupation is largely seen as meaningful, with 86.1% of hospitalists reporting job satisfaction. Staffing challenges persist, particularly with vacancies and the integration of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, especially within pediatric HMGs. The survey also highlighted significant regional differences in HMG sizes and a shift in practice models.<br /><br />There is an increasing focus on addressing burnout and wellness, with many groups monitoring these factors regularly, though few have dedicated roles for such purposes. The report highlights the importance of flexible schedules and backup systems for maintaining workforce satisfaction, with survey data revealing a strong desire for improved work-life balance.<br /><br />Continuous financial support remains crucial for many HMGs, compensating for gaps between revenue and expenses. The report emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to ensure hospitalists can continue to find fulfillment in their roles while meeting the evolving demands of healthcare.

Keywords

Hospital Medicine

Society of Hospital Medicine

COVID-19

Workforce Experience Survey

Hospitalists

Burnout

Job Satisfaction

Staffing Challenges

Work-life Balance

Financial Support