Staffing Models and Full-Time Equivalents in Pediatric Hospital Medicine

By
Lara Batey
Marie Dawlett
Allison Markowsky
September 21, 2026

Journal Of Hospital Medicine

Background

Adequate staffing is essential for providing high-quality care to hospitalized children and ensuring the sustainability of PHM programs. Staffing shortages, reported by 67.6% of programs in a recent survey, pose significant challenges for hospitalist leaders in managing shifts and recruitment. The variability in patient populations and available resources necessitates tailored staffing models to meet diverse program needs.

Data Highlights

No numerical data provided in the source material.

Key Findings

67.6% of pediatric hospital medicine programs reported staffing shortages in 2024.
Annual clinical hours for a 1.0 FTE generally range from 1700 to 1900, varying by program type.
40% of programs incentivized off-hour shifts, with 37.1% offering financial incentives.
Dr. Carter established annual clinical-hour expectations of 1800 for clinical faculty and 1530 for academic faculty.
Most hospitalists work at less than 100% clinical effort, with nonclinical time averaging 25%.

Clinical Implications

Hospitalist leaders should consider defining clinical workload and FTE expectations to address staffing challenges effectively. Incorporating flexible staffing models may help improve retention and manage the demands of varying patient care environments.

Conclusion

The establishment of clear FTE definitions and flexible staffing models is crucial for addressing the ongoing staffing shortages in pediatric hospital medicine.