SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Resident Physician Experiences Discharging Patients to Skilled Nursing Facilities

Pdf Summary

This qualitative study explored internal medicine and general surgery residents’ experiences with discharging patients to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The researchers conducted six Zoom focus groups with 20 residents from one academic institution across three urban hospital sites.

<strong>Main findings:</strong>
- Residents in both specialties reported similar attitudes and challenges.
- Most had little to no formal education about SNFs and few clinical exposures; many had never been inside a SNF.
- Knowledge about SNFs was usually gained indirectly or through “learning by doing.”

<strong>Common resident feelings during SNF discharges:</strong>
- <strong>Lack of control</strong> over the discharge process
- <strong>Sense of urgency</strong> because timing was often unpredictable
- <strong>Concern about patient care</strong> and whether important details might be missed after transfer

<strong>How residents tried to cope:</strong>
1. Anticipating discharges earlier
2. Making discharge summaries accurate and up to date for SNF clinicians

<strong>Differences by specialty:</strong>
- Surgical residents reported that advanced practice providers increasingly handled more of the work involved in arranging SNF discharges.
- Medicine residents in this program did not work with advanced practice providers in the same way.

<strong>Conclusion:</strong>
Residents’ uncertainty and frustration may stem from limited education and experience with SNFs. The authors suggest that formal training, including clinical curriculum or rotations at SNFs, could improve residents’ preparedness and confidence when managing these discharges.

Asset Subtitle

Bingyan Shi

Meta Tag

Author List Andrew D. Auerbach, Audrey Lyndon, Bingyan Shi, James D. Harrison, Margaret C. Fang, Rebecca L. Sudore, Tasce Bongiovanni

Category Research

Concept Skilled Nursing Facility

Concept Discharge Process

Concept Resident Physician

Concept Continuity of Care

Concept Perceived Challenge

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of California, San Francisco

Presenting Author Bingyan Shi

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

skilled nursing facilities

resident experiences

discharge planning

internal medicine

general surgery

qualitative study

medical education

patient transfer

advanced practice providers

SNF discharges

Skilled Nursing Facility

Discharge Process

Resident Physician

Continuity of Care

Perceived Challenge