SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Understanding Challenges Associated With Caring for Socially and Behaviorally Complex Hospitalized Patients

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This study examined why hospitalists find caring for socially and behaviorally complex inpatients challenging, and what support they need to sustain clinical work. The topic emerged from an internal survey showing that managing complex patients was the leading barrier to sustainable practice and a contributor to burnout and dissatisfaction.<br /><br />To better define these challenges, the authors held a virtual brainstorming session with 65 hospitalists to identify key problem areas. They then created and distributed a follow-up survey to assess resource and support needs; 46 hospitalists responded. Responses were analyzed both quantitatively and thematically.<br /><br />Hospitalists most often identified patients with chronic pain and those with behavioral or violence concerns as the scenarios where they needed the most support. This pattern remained similar across levels of clinical experience. Across patient types and scenarios, the main sources of difficulty were: feeling underprepared or lacking expertise, limited time and bandwidth, isolation in managing difficult situations, conflict with patients or other team members, and moral distress.<br /><br />The study concludes that these challenges are common and cut across multiple patient groups, suggesting that solutions should not focus on a single diagnosis or issue. Instead, the authors emphasize the need for system-level support structures that can reduce burnout and improve career sustainability. Proposed next steps include focus groups and development of targeted interventions such as clinical care pathways, educational training, and stronger multidisciplinary team approaches.

Asset Subtitle

Rashmi Manjunath

Meta Tag

Author List Esther Y. Hsiang, Rashmi Manjunath, Smitha Ganeshan

Category Research

Concept Hospitalist

Concept Hospitalized Medicine Patients

Concept Social Complexity

Concept Behavioral Complexity

Concept Support Needs

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Ucsf

Presenting Author Rashmi Manjunath

Track Other

Keywords

hospitalists

socially complex inpatients

behavioral concerns

chronic pain

burnout

clinical support

moral distress

multidisciplinary care

care pathways

hospital medicine

Hospitalist

Hospitalized Medicine Patients

Social Complexity

Behavioral Complexity

Support Needs