SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Comparison of Hospitalist Morale in a Covid Alternate Care Site to Conventional Hospitals in Maryland

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This study compared hospitalist morale at the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (BCCFH), a COVID-19 alternate care site (ACS), with morale at conventional hospitals in the Johns Hopkins regional network in Maryland. Using the validated Hospitalist Morale Index (HMI) plus self-reported measures of burnout, quality of life, and intent to leave, the authors surveyed hospitalists in September 2020 at conventional hospitals and in March 2021 at BCCFH.<br /><br />Response rates were high: 80% at BCCFH (55/69) and 77% at conventional hospitals (141/183). The two groups were demographically similar. Contrary to the expectation that morale would be worse at the ACS, BCCFH hospitalists reported significantly better morale overall. They had lower rates of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization than conventional hospitalists. Quality of life was also better at BCCFH, with 91% rating it in the top two quintiles compared with 69% in conventional hospitals. In addition, BCCFH clinicians were more invested in making their group outstanding.<br /><br />The biggest differences were in the Clinical and Appreciation/Acknowledgement domains of the HMI. BCCFH hospitalists scored higher on professional growth, intellectual stimulation, patient relationships, and especially feeling valued by the organization.<br /><br />The authors suggest that higher morale at BCCFH may be explained by the fact that the ACS was staffed by a self-selected group of clinicians hired after the pandemic began, many of whom described a strong sense of mission and teamwork. This contrasts with many earlier reports of poor morale in COVID units staffed by non-volunteers.<br /><br />Overall, the study concludes that allowing clinicians freedom of choice to work in crisis settings may improve morale, although results are limited by differences in staffing models and timing of the surveys.

Asset Subtitle

Catherine Washburn

Meta Tag

Author List Catherine Washburn, Gulzeb Memon, Henry J. Michtalik, Ishaan Gupta, Melinda Kantsiper, Rogette Esteve

Category Research

Concept Hospitalist Morale Index

Concept Alternate Site

Concept Hospitalist

Concept Burnout

Concept Quality of Life

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Johns Hopkins University

Presenting Author Catherine Washburn

Track Other

Keywords

hospitalist morale

Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital

COVID-19 alternate care site

burnout

quality of life

Hospitalist Morale Index

emotional exhaustion

depersonalization

self-selected clinicians

teamwork

Hospitalist Morale Index

Alternate Site

Hospitalist

Burnout

Quality of Life