title: Research needs of pediatric hospitalists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the current state of research productivity, goals, obstacles, and needs of pediatric hospitalists.
  
  
  METHODS
  The American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Hospital Medicine performed a cross-sectional online survey of pediatric hospitalists. Questions assessed demographics, research productivity, system-level factors, research interests, goals and obstacles, and the perceived need for research training and support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred twenty pediatric hospitalists in the United States completed the survey. Of these, 56% had presented at a national meeting, 24% were first authors of an article in a peer-reviewed journal, 8% had more than publications, and 12% had secured external grant support. While 90% of respondents had spent 10% or less time in research, 64% had an academic appointment at the assistant professor level or above. Nearly 40% felt that their institution expected them to do research, and 56% were interested and another 27% were very interested in conducting research. The main research interest was quality improvement (QI) evaluation. Common obstacles to research were lack of time, mentorship, and resources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatric hospitalists want to conduct research to improve the quality of inpatient care but face significant obstacles including lack of dedicated time for research and mentorship. Coordinated efforts to improve access to academic resources are important for career development and academic growth of the field. National organizations and hospital programs interested in improving the quality of care for hospitalized children can provide support to meet the field's professional needs for research.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
authors: Arpi
authors: A
authors: Bekmezian
authors: Ronald J
authors: RJ
authors: Teufel
authors: Karen M
authors: KM
authors: Wilson
keywords: Pediatric hospitalist; academics; mentorship; quality improvement; quality of care; research; training