SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Innovative Solutions to Longevity: Implementing a Hybrid Work Model in Hospital Medicine

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The document describes a “hybrid” general internist model developed at an urban Midwestern academic hospital to reduce burnout and turnover among hospitalists. In this model, physicians alternate one month working inpatient in the hospital and one month in outpatient primary care.<br /><br />The hybrid role combines the strengths of both settings: outpatient continuity, preventive care, and long-term patient relationships; and inpatient acuity, variety, and clinical challenge. It also improves work-life integration by allowing physicians to focus on one role at a time, maintain manageable workloads, and have more scheduling autonomy. Many physicians report that the model gives them “the best of both worlds,” supports skill maintenance in both areas, and makes the career sustainable long term.<br /><br />The model’s key benefits include broader practice scope, greater job satisfaction, better transition-of-care understanding, and higher pay than a pure outpatient position. Challenges include managing outpatient inboxes while on inpatient service, covering acute needs of clinic patients during off months, and the administrative complexity of coordinating schedules, especially as more hybrid physicians are added. The system depends on physician dyads for sustainability.<br /><br />The presentation also includes early outcomes and workforce data. Since 2017, 15 hybrid physicians were hired, with very low attrition compared with hospitalists, who had much higher resignation rates. The authors conclude that offering a hybrid practice may improve recruitment and retention in hospital medicine. They also report a qualitative study of 11 hybrid general internists and quantitative analysis of turnover, workload, and wellness surveys to better understand the model’s impact.

Asset Subtitle

Chelsea R. Navarrette

Meta Tag

Author List Chad Vokoun, Chelsea R. Navarrette, Jana L. Wardian, Jennifer Parker, Rae Witt, Victoria Kennel

Category Innovations

Concept Hybrid General Internist Role

Concept Hospitalist Burnout

Concept Inpatient Care

Concept Outpatient Care

Concept Continuity of Care

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Nebraska Medical Center

Presenting Author Chelsea R. Navarrette

Track Other

Keywords

hybrid general internist

hospitalist burnout

physician retention

outpatient primary care

inpatient hospital medicine

work-life integration

career sustainability

transition of care

job satisfaction

physician workload

Hybrid General Internist Role

Hospitalist Burnout

Inpatient Care

Outpatient Care

Continuity of Care