Hospitalists ’ Reflections Offer Hope and Optimism for the Coming Years

As we come to the close of 2022, we take a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned these last few years, and more importantly, what new challenges and opportunities lie ahead. We spoke with hospitalists and leaders from a variety of institutions to get their feedback. The views they’ve shared are their own and not those of their institutions. Dr. Thompson Rachel Thompson, MD, MPH, FACP, SFHM, SHM president, is the chief medical officer at Snoqualmie Valley Hospital and Public Health District in Snoqualmie, Wash. Dr. Thompson says the most important lesson hospitalists have learned in the last three years is that they’re agile, innovative, bold, and connected. “We’re powerful together and must keep that top of mind as we face the coming challenges,” she said. Those challenges for 2023 will be facing the tail end of the pandemic and, as everyone adapts to the “return to normal,” she cautions hospitalists to address their own mental health, support each other and colleagues, and address equity and inclusion. The biggest threat in returning to normal, she says, is becoming complacent. “We saw what we can do when we have to—we must harness that power and continue to drive for a better future,” she said. Acute care leaving the hospital will be the biggest disruptor of hospital medicine (HM) in the next five to 10 years, Dr. Thompson says. “We’ll continue to see higher and higher acuity in the hospital, and lower acuity will be outside our traditional wa...
Source: The Hospitalist - Category: Hospital Management Authors: Tags: Hospital Medicine Leadership People in HM Source Type: research