State of Research in Pediatric Hospital Medicine. Hosp Pediatr 2026 Jul 01;16(7):e508-e512
Date
06/05/2026Pubmed ID
42242707DOI
10.1542/hpeds.2025-008999Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105044090737 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) is a growing field with a unique scholarly perspective and evolving role in academic leadership. Since the last systematic assessment of PHM research in 2009, predating subspecialty certification in 2016 and fellowship accreditation in 2020, the research infrastructure within PHM has not been reevaluated. We sought to assess the current state of PHM research by assessing the number, scope, and scholarly domains of research faculty, as well as research funding and support.
METHODS: Using the Pediatrics Research in Inpatient Settings Network, we distributed a cross-sectional survey to PHM group leaders across the United States and Canada. The 16-item instrument, adapted from prior PHM and adult hospital medicine surveys, assessed program demographics, faculty effort allocation, research support, funding, and scholarly domains. Surveys were distributed via REDCap with follow-up reminders. Descriptive statistics were used.
RESULTS: 49 programs responded (51% response rate), representing 1702 faculty (∼40% of US pediatric hospitalists). Fewer than half of programs (n = 21, 43%) reported faculty with more than 50% research effort. One-hundred and ninety faculty members (11%) had dedicated research time, and 72% of those conducting quality improvement research did so without any protected effort. Most PHM programs (n = 27, 55%) received less than $100 000 in total annual research funding.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite recent PHM subspecialty designation and pediatric hospitalist desire to conduct research, dedicated time and associated supports are uncommon in PHM groups. Improvements in the PHM research pipeline will require understanding institutional financial constraints and diversifying and strengthening research funding.
Author List
Present M, Ramazani SN, Sauers-Ford H, Press VG, Dugani SB, Gupta V, Pappas MA, Michtalik HJ, Rohatgi N, McFadden V, Pavon JM, Prochaska M, Jenkins AMAuthor
Vanessa Mcfadden MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Biomedical ResearchCanada
Cross-Sectional Studies
Faculty, Medical
Hospital Medicine
Hospitals, Pediatric
Humans
Pediatrics
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
