Improving Resident Satisfaction with Post-Hospitalization Follow-up at
Mayo Clinic Florida
Abstract
Rationale, aims, and objectives: Post-hospitalization follow-up within
30 days following discharge has been shown to positively impact time to
readmission, healthcare costs, and patient self-reported adherence and
satisfaction. We aimed to improve resident satisfaction with the process
of establishing post-hospitalization, primary care provider (PCP)
follow-up. Methods: In this quality improvement study we surveyed all
internal medicine residents at our institution regarding their
satisfaction with the process of establishing PCP follow-up at the time
of hospital discharge. A streamlined process was developed and two
subsequent interventions were enacted; a dedicated teaching session and
distribution of pocket cards outlining the process. Residents were then
surveyed following each intervention to assess for impact on overall
satisfaction and burden of work. Results: Initially, 77.3% of residents
were not satisfied with the process of establishing post-hospitalization
PCP follow-up. Following the first intervention there was a trend
towards increasing satisfaction rates by 16.7% (p= 0.20), and after the
second intervention there was a statistically significant increase in
satisfaction rates from baseline by 44% (p= 0.007). There was also a
reduction in the feeling of workload burden associated with establishing
PCP follow-up from 32% to 25%, and over 67% of participants either
agreed or strongly agreed that the workload was not too burdensome.
Conclusion: This quality improvement initiative established that
resident physicians at our institution previously found the process of
establishing PCP follow-up at the time of patient discharge both
confusing and burdensome. Through the implementation of our
interventions we were able to achieve our aims of improving resident
satisfaction.