SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Implementation of a Leader-on-Call Model in an Academic Hospitalist Group

Pdf Summary

The document describes the implementation of a Leader-on-Call (LOC) model in an academic hospitalist group at Oregon Health & Science University, launched in January 2023. The LOC was created to address frequent staffing and capacity challenges that intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic, including sick calls, personal emergencies, unplanned leave, seasonal respiratory surges, and broader institutional constraints.<br /><br />Nine division members rotate through the LOC role, reducing the burden on any single medical director and aligning the duty with each person’s clinical schedule to limit disruption. To support consistency and quick onboarding, the group developed a written standard work document and used an existing online policy manual. The LOC also creates a daily Microsoft Teams chat to provide standardized updates on census and staffing and to serve as the escalation point for urgent issues during the day.<br /><br />The model’s purpose is to provide a single empowered contact who can make real-time staffing and policy decisions, rather than placing this responsibility on busy hospitalists currently on service. This helps teams respond more efficiently to operational problems without requiring frontline clinicians to navigate complex policies in the moment.<br /><br />The group reports that the LOC model has improved responsiveness to staffing and census issues and may also support provider wellness. In an annual wellness survey, 83% of faculty agreed or strongly agreed that the LOC reduces stress related to high census and scheduling problems. Survey feedback also suggested that the role improves perceptions of leadership support and reduces burnout concerns. Overall, the LOC appears to be a practical and sustainable strategy for shared leadership, operational support, and faculty wellbeing.

Asset Subtitle

Angela E. Alday

Meta Tag

Author List Angela E. Alday, Michael Hendricks, Stephanie AC Halvorson

Category Innovations

Concept Leader-on-Call Model

Concept Staffing

Concept Patient Census

Concept Hospitalist Wellness

Concept Academic Hospitalist Group

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Oregon Health & Science University

Presenting Author Angela E. Alday

Track Other

Keywords

Leader-on-Call

hospitalist group

staffing challenges

capacity management

post-COVID-19

daily Microsoft Teams chat

standard work document

real-time decision making

provider wellness

burnout reduction

Leader-on-Call Model

Staffing

Patient Census

Hospitalist Wellness

Academic Hospitalist Group