Clinical Path
Like all U.S. healthcare systems, the VA is expanding its use of hospitalists.
“There are great opportunities for hospitalists in the VA as salaried physicians, with very reasonable work hours and an excellent electronic medical record,” Dr. Kaboli says.
Dr. Ogrinc points out that residency programs do not always prepare hospitalists for the administrative, system improvement, and organizational responsibilities that often fall under hospitalist purview. “Committee and improvement work can often be seen as bothersome by some,” he says, “especially if they don’t have the opportunity to learn the skills and methods to make their organizations work better from a patient outcome standpoint.”
In addition, either experiencing a fellowship program or simply working in a salaried position with the VA “can round out your skill set, make you a better hospitalist overall, and put you in a position to be a leader as a hospitalist in a practice,” Dr. Ogrinc says.
Dr. Kaboli agrees.
“The future of healthcare reform in this country is embracing the model of the accountable care organization,” he says. “The VA system, with capitated payment, salaried physicians, and comprehensive integrated care, is arguably the largest ACO [accountable care organization] in the country.”
Gretchen Henkel is a freelance writer in California.
Resources for VA Research Programs
Eight VA medical centers participate in the National Quality Scholars Fellowship Program: Greater Los Angeles, Atlanta, Birmingham, Cleveland, Iowa City, Nashville, San Francisco, and White River Junction. For more information on application requirements and deadlines, visit www.va.gov and search “National Quality Scholars Fellowship Program.”
There are three levels of Career Development Awards offered through the VA Office of Research and Development, including biomedical laboratory/clinical sciences and health services. For more information on award categories and submission deadlines, visit www.research.va.gov/funding.
The New England Veterans Engineering Resource Center (www.newengland.va.gov/verc) provides examples of the variety of systems engineering research projects being undertaken by the VA. —Gretchen Henkel
References
- Lund BC, Steinman MA, Chrischilles EA, Kaboli PJ. Beers criteria as a proxy for inappropriate prescribing of other medications among older adults. Ann Pharmacother. 2011;45:1363-1370.
- Lund BC, Charlton ME, Steinman MA, Kaboli PJ. Regional differences in prescribing quality among elder veterans and the impact of rural residence. J Rural Health. 2013;29:172-179.
- Splaine ME, Ogrinc G, Gilman SC, et al. The Department of Veterans Affairs National Quality Scholars Fellowship Program: experience from 10 year of training quality scholars. Acad Med. 2009;84:1741-1748.