SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Hospitalist Perspectives of Communication With Subspecialty Consult Services

Pdf Summary

This study examined how hospitalists at Emory perceive communication with subspecialty consult services, especially when consultants push back on requests. Because communication across hierarchies can affect workflow and patient care, the team surveyed hospital medicine physicians and advanced practice providers to better understand these dynamics.<br /><br />An online REDCap survey was sent to 277 providers across Emory Hospital Medicine sites, and 87 responses were analyzed. Most respondents were physicians, worked primarily in academic medical centers, and spent most of their time in direct patient care.<br /><br />The survey found that pushback from consultants was common. Among medical subspecialties, cardiology, neurology, and hematology/oncology were reported as offering the most pushback. Among surgical specialties, urology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics were most often identified. Half of respondents felt that pushback negatively affected patient care.<br /><br />The study also found a gender difference in comfort level with escalating directly to an attending consultant when pushback occurs. About 70% of male hospitalists reported feeling comfortable doing this “always” or “most of the time,” compared with 40% of female hospitalists, a statistically significant difference (p = .001).<br /><br />The authors conclude that hospitalists frequently experience pushback from consult services and believe it can harm patient care. Further analysis is ongoing, with future results expected on communication patterns with attendings, advanced practice providers, residents, and fellows.

Asset Subtitle

Bashir A. Geer

Meta Tag

Author List Amy Miller, Bashir A. Geer, Erin Kim, Jasmah Hanna, Manpreet Malik, Stacey Watkins, Traci Leong, Vena R. Crichlow

Category Research

Concept Hospitalist

Concept Subspecialty Consult Service

Concept Patient Care

Concept Consultant Pushback

Concept Inpatient hospital medicine workflow

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Emory

Presenting Author Bashir A. Geer

Track Communication

Keywords

hospitalists

subspecialty consult services

consultant pushback

patient care

hospital medicine

communication hierarchy

Emory University

survey study

gender differences

interprofessional communication

Hospitalist

Subspecialty Consult Service

Patient Care

Consultant Pushback

Inpatient hospital medicine workflow