Just like a cardiologist specializes in heart patient care, a hospitalist specializes in hospitalized patient care. And, the number of patients being treated by this type of physician is growing.
Hospitalists, however, have a demanding schedule. They're typically on hospital site 24 hours a day, seven days a week so they can provide their patients with immediate and ongoing care. They work closely with the patients' primary doctors to ensure the patients receive the highest standard of care while they're staying at the hospital.
There are many advantages to this type of patient care, including better patient care, efficiency and cost-savings. But, more than half of all hospitalists end up working a 7-on/7-off schedule — some even work 12 to 14 hour day shifts. Although this type of schedule for hospitalists has become common, many doctors find it stressful and it often results in physician burnout. The hospitalists' on days are so long it’s difficult for them to recover on their days off.
And, hospitalist scheduling remains a huge issue, just like emergency medicine scheduling and physician scheduling. Balancing personal life and work hours is problematic, as many hospitalists and scheduling managers report:
- Difficult day-to-day workloads
- Increased demands and expectations
- Challenges with shift scheduling
- Challenges retaining hospitalists
- Worries about career sustainability
Essentially, the 7-on/7-off schedule crunches a full-time career into around 182 days. The intensity of this scheduling system is both professionally and personally stressful.
For hospitalist groups and scheduling managers, balancing schedules is a struggle. You have to continue meeting the standards of quality patient care while you still meet individual provider's scheduling preferences. A hospitalist scheduling program can make both of these easy to accomplish. There are many benefits to a hospitalist scheduling program, including:
Create Perfect Schedules
Physician software allows you to create the perfect schedules with multiple calendars, staff visibility, paid time off management, balanced schedules and shifts and overtime tracking.
More Stable Scheduling
Your hospitalists no doubt have preferences as to the hours and days they work. They'll also have personal days and vacation requests. Scheduling software can help you put the flexibility back into the scheduling system.
Quick View of Schedules
You will now be able to easily and quickly view the schedule, making it simpler to make modifications. Your staff members can also easily and quickly view their schedules since they can view them from their computers, smartphones, tablets or other devices with Internet. They'll also have the ability to swap and change shifts with ease.
Clear Communication
You and your hospitalists can receive real-time schedule notifications and changes via text message or email.
Simple and Fast Scheduling
Optimize your entire operation by ensuring you schedule the proper resources at the right time and spend less time creating the schedules.
Since hospitalists are so important and the industry itself is ever-growing, there's a bigger demand. A hospitalist scheduling program will simplify your job as the scheduling manager, improve the job satisfaction of your hospitalists and boost patient care.
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