Table 3 Strengths and challenges of hospitalist programs as reported by interviewees (n = 38)

Identified area of strength

Number of instances (all sites)

Improved on-site presence, accessibility and availability of hospitalists

24

Improved inter-professional communication and collaboration

22

Improved knowledge of, and familiarity with, complexity and multimorbidity of hospitalized patients

18

Improved work culture (i.e. improved environment, inter-professional relationships and collegiality, etc.)

15

Increased willingness to address issues that arise among site administration, leadership and hospitalists

6

Identified area of challenge

Number of instances (all sites)

Hospitalist handover leads to longer length of stay; delayed discharges; reduced continuity of care; disjointed communication with patients

22

Limited willingness for hospitalists to admit patients after-hours, leading to congestion. Often only respond to emergency issues

18

Inefficiency of hospitalists following their patients through the hospital even if transferred to different departments

13

Lack of timely administrative data on key performance indicators (e.g. length of stay, readmission rates, etc.) to inform learning, adaptation, and evidence-based decision-making

7

Hospitalists need to improve communication with community family physicians, from admission to discharge

6