Research and Career Outcomes for Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship Graduates

Abstract

Pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) fellowships have rapidly developed to meet established needs. The purpose of this research was to describe the research and career outcomes of PHM fellowship graduates. We hypothesized that graduates would report significant research and academic productivity. METHODS:This was an institutional review board-approved, cross-sectional survey of PHM fellowship graduates in 2018. The 88-item survey was modified from an existing survey, developed by experts to address study objectives and pilot tested, and it included quantitative and qualitative items to assess characteristics of fellowship training and research and career outcomes.RESULTS: A total of 63% of PHM fellowship graduates (143 of 228) completed the survey (graduation dates, 2000-2018). In total, 89% graduated from dedicated PHM fellowship programs, with 59% completing a 2-year fellowship and 78% now practicing primarily at a university or children's hospital. Fellows conducted research in clinical research (53%), quality improvement (41%), health services (24%), and medical education (19%). A total of 77% of graduates continued to do research after graduation, with 63% publishing and 25% obtaining grant funding. Graduates of 2-and 3-year fellowships and those with a master's degree were significantly more productive. Graduates now hold important roles in academic and health systems leadership. Graduates are highly satisfied with their decision to do PHM fellowship and identified 5 themes regarding how fellowship impacted their career outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:In this study, we document robust research activity and leadership positions among PHM fellowship graduates and can serve as a benchmark for metrics that PHM educational leaders can use to assess outcomes and improve training regarding research and career development.

The transition to Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellowship: A national survey‐based needs assessment

“…Commonly, PHM fellows assume leadership, teaching, and research roles after graduation and, thus, PHM fellowship plays a vital role in fostering early career skills. 14,16,24 Our findings reveal a need for more robust curricular development in scholarship and teaching. Residency programs supporting PHM-interested residents could provide dedicated time for early scholarship and teaching experiences.…”

“…Positive and productive scholarship experiences increase the likelihood that fellows continue research after graduation. 14 However, there are many barriers to conducting scholarly activities during fellowship such as lack of training, time, and mentorship. 12,15 Fellowship programs should provide focused mentorship and instruction for entering fellows, particularly around the initial stages of scholarship project development and design.…”

“…6,11,12 Fellowship provides an ideal opportunity for fellows to develop competency in the breadth of hospitalist work, but PHM fellowship programs are still relatively new and face challenges, particularly in fostering fellow scholarship. 13,14 Additionally, PHM fellowship training is typically 2 years in length, as compared with more traditional 3-year fellowship models, which likely exacerbates these challenges. 15 Fostering the development of fellows in clinical work, teaching, and scholarship is crucial to ensure their future career success as hospitalists and to advance the growth of PHM as a field globally.…”

“…There has been a recent call for pediatric residencies to provide increased support in both clinical and nonclinical PHM‐content areas, and this call highlights scholarship and teaching skills as key nonclinical areas to develop 6,11,12 . Fellowship provides an ideal opportunity for fellows to develop competency in the breadth of hospitalist work, but PHM fellowship programs are still relatively new and face challenges, particularly in fostering fellow scholarship 13,14 . Additionally, PHM fellowship training is typically 2 years in length, as compared with more traditional 3‐year fellowship models, which likely exacerbates these challenges 15 .…”

Developing fellowships in a rapidly growing field

“…Recent surveys of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine‐Pediatrics residents indicate some concern about entering the field of PHM given the requirement of fellowship training for board eligibility 4,5 ; however, the number of applications for PHM fellowships has remained steady and has in fact exceeded the number of available positions, highlighting continued interest in the field (and suggesting that so far, the requirement is less of a deterrent than survey results suggest). In terms of outcomes of PHM fellowship, a survey of graduates of PHM programs showed the majority held academic appointments, held leadership roles, and conducted research during the fellowship, 6 supporting the academic benefits afforded by additional training and mentorship.…”