SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Impact of Launching a Residency Program on Inpatient Experience: A Quasi-Experimental Study in a Community Hospital Division

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This study examined whether launching a new Internal Medicine residency program in a community hospital affected inpatient patient experience. Researchers used a retrospective quasi-experimental design in a Gulf Coast hospital division, comparing the hospital that started the residency program in July 2024 with other hospitals in the same division over eight quarters (four before and four after the launch).<br /><br />The main outcome was the top-box percentage for physician-related inpatient satisfaction survey questions. The analysis included about 1 million survey responses from 15 hospitals. Several statistical methods were used, including pre/post comparisons, interrupted time series, difference-in-differences, and provider-level paired analyses.<br /><br />Overall, patient experience improved after the residency program began rather than worsened. Division-wide provider top-box scores increased from 65.5% to 70.0%, and the teaching hospital increased from 64.8% to 68.0%, both statistically significant. Interrupted time series analysis showed a significant upward trend across the division after the intervention, with no immediate drop in scores when the residency program launched. The teaching hospital also showed a positive trend, though this was not statistically significant. Difference-in-differences analysis suggested the teaching hospital improved slightly less than peer hospitals, but still improved. At the hospital level, 14 of 15 hospitals improved, and the teaching hospital’s gains were below the division median. Provider-level scores also rose overall, with modest improvement in physician communication domains.<br /><br />The authors conclude that launching a residency program in a community hospital was associated with improved patient experience trends and did not harm patient satisfaction. These findings suggest residents can be integrated into a community hospital without compromising inpatient experience.

Asset Subtitle

Yves Najm Mrad

Meta Tag

Author List Bacel Nseir, John Byrne, Nathan Deal, Yves Najm Mrad

Category Research

Concept Internal Medicine Residency Program

Concept Inpatient Patient Experience

Concept Physician-Related Satisfaction

Concept Patient Satisfaction

Concept Physician Communication

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Houston/Hca Houston Clear Lake

Presenting Author Yves Najm Mrad

Track Other

Keywords

Internal Medicine residency

community hospital

patient experience

inpatient satisfaction

physician communication

quasi-experimental study

interrupted time series

difference-in-differences

resident integration

hospital survey scores

Internal Medicine Residency Program

Inpatient Patient Experience

Physician-Related Satisfaction

Patient Satisfaction

Physician Communication