SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Phone-a-Friend: A Clinical Mentorship Model to Discuss Complex Cases

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This project describes “Phone-A-Friend,” a peer mentorship model created to help hospitalists discuss complex inpatient cases with more experienced colleagues. The need arose because newer hospitalists often encounter challenging cases involving not only medical complexity, but also social, discharge, and administrative barriers. A needs assessment survey showed that hospitalists wanted extra support especially for overcoming discharge barriers, understanding inpatient resources and escalation pathways, managing complex psychosocial dynamics with patients/families, and addressing difficult clinical questions.<br /><br />To meet this need, the department established a senior hospitalist mentoring group composed of three experienced hospitalists with over 10 years of clinical and administrative leadership experience. They were available through a 30-minute drop-in video conferencing session and group email for case discussion.<br /><br />From February to October 2023, 58 cases were discussed, averaging 6.4 cases per month. The most common reasons for escalation were discharge barriers, resource utilization questions, clinical decision-making issues, and patient/family conflict. The cases reviewed tended to involve sicker patients, with a median length of stay of 14 days and a mortality rate of 17.6%, indicating that the model was being used for especially complex and high-risk patients.<br /><br />Overall, the findings suggest that a senior peer mentoring system is a practical and valuable resource for hospitalists. It can support clinical development, help solve difficult inpatient problems, and provide guidance for managing complex cases more effectively.

Asset Subtitle

Vinh-Tung Nguyen

Meta Tag

Author List Erin Gabriel, Maria Reyna, Mitchell Gronowitz, Vinh-Tung Nguyen

Category Innovations

Concept Peer Mentorship

Concept Hospitalist

Concept Complex Case

Concept Discharge Barrier

Concept Senior Hospitalist

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Mount Sinai Hospital

Presenting Author Vinh-Tung Nguyen

Track Education

Keywords

hospitalist mentorship

peer support

complex inpatient cases

discharge barriers

clinical decision-making

patient-family conflict

resource utilization

senior hospitalists

inpatient escalation pathways

psychosocial dynamics

Peer Mentorship

Hospitalist

Complex Case

Discharge Barrier

Senior Hospitalist