SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-The Continued Impact of Covid-19 on Hospitalist Burnout: Qualitative Results From the Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network Provider Wellness Workgroup

The Continued Impact of Covid-19 on Hospitalist Burnout: Qualitative Results From the Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network Provider Wellness Workgroup

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This qualitative study from the HOMERuN Provider Wellness Workgroup examined how COVID-19 has continued to affect hospitalist burnout and well-being. In October 2021, researchers անցկացed four virtual focus groups with 16 physicians from 11 academic institutions across the U.S. Participants discussed staffing, workload, institutional wellness support, career outlook, and attrition.<br /><br />Four major themes emerged. First, work burden remained high: hospitalists reported patient censuses consistently up to 25% higher than before the pandemic. Second, staffing support increased early on but was not sustained, leaving clinicians feeling undervalued and less supported by their institutions. Third, strained relationships with patients worsened due to social mistrust, anti-vaccine attitudes, hostility, and even violence, contributing to emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue. Fourth, many clinicians experienced moral injury and had little time or space to process the pandemic’s effects. Although mental health resources were more available, they were underused, and participants felt institutions often failed to respond meaningfully to feedback.<br /><br />The study also found that the pandemic shifted work-life priorities. Some hospitalists, especially women, reconsidered academic and leadership roles because of their impact on personal time, family, and health.<br /><br />Overall, the authors conclude that COVID-19’s effects on hospitalist wellness have evolved but not disappeared. They recommend stronger clinical staffing, better engagement with mental health services, and institutional investments in childcare and schedule flexibility. Regular reassessment of wellness programs is needed as the pandemic’s long-term effects continue.

Asset Subtitle

Krishna A. Chokshi

Meta Tag

Author List Andrew W. Schram, Ashwini Niranjan-Azadi, Elizabeth A. Murphy, Gena Walker, James Clements, Krishna A. Chokshi, Omrana Pasha-Razzak, Pinky Jha, Sanjay Bhandari, Stephanie K. Mueller

Category Research

Concept COVID-19

Concept Burnout

Concept Emotional Exhaustion

Concept Moral Injury

Concept Staffing

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Icahn School of Mount Sinai

Presenting Author Krishna A. Chokshi

Track Other

Keywords

COVID-19

hospitalist burnout

physician well-being

staffing burden

moral injury

compassion fatigue

mental health resources

work-life balance

institutional support

qualitative study

COVID-19

Burnout

Emotional Exhaustion

Moral Injury

Staffing