SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Protecting Time for Scholarship in Academic Hospital Medicine: A Multi-Institutional, Qualitative Study

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This multi-institutional qualitative study examined how academic hospital medicine (HM) groups manage protected time (PT) for scholarship. Using a constructivist approach, the authors developed and pilot-tested an interview guide focused on funding, allocation, monitoring, and productivity. They conducted semi-structured interviews with division leaders from academic HM groups, transcribed the recordings, and analyzed them using inductive thematic methods.<br /><br />Findings were organized into four domains: sources, process, expectations, and evaluation. Funding for research time came mostly from self-funding by hospitalists or small, one-time division allocations. Some divisions used internal grants, administrative time, or cost-sharing between the division and the hospitalist. External funding was rare and usually limited to “Big R” researchers with strong mentorship and infrastructure.<br /><br />PT allocation was often limited and competitive. A minority of divisions offered research time to all new hires, while others used internal grant mechanisms or provided time selectively to those seen as most likely to succeed. Implementing PT required others in the division to cover clinical shifts, often through extra work by colleagues or supplemental staffing.<br /><br />Monitoring and evaluation were usually informal and qualitative. Most divisions lacked formal oversight of how PT was used. Progress was tracked mainly to identify barriers and support the hospitalist rather than to measure efficiency or return on investment. Formal metrics were typically reserved for researchers expected to secure external grants, with NIH funding seen as the main indicator of success.<br /><br />Overall, leaders viewed scholarship as important for academic satisfaction, recruitment, retention, and promotion, but they were constrained by clinical staffing demands, limited funding, and a lack of research skills and mentorship. The study concludes that HM groups have substantial difficulty supporting scholarship sustainably and lack robust systems to fund, allocate, and evaluate protected time.

Asset Subtitle

Richard M. Elias

Meta Tag

Author List Adam Sawatsky, John Ratelle, Richard M. Elias

Category Research

Concept Protected Time

Concept Scholarly Productivity

Concept Scholarship

Concept Grant Acquisition

Concept Research Output

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Mayo Clinic

Presenting Author Richard M. Elias

Track Education

Keywords

academic hospital medicine

protected time

scholarship funding

qualitative study

division leaders

research allocation

internal grants

clinical staffing

mentorship

NIH funding

Protected Time

Scholarly Productivity

Scholarship

Grant Acquisition

Research Output