Q & A with Robert A. Craven, MD, FACP, CHCQM-PHYADV, SFHM, vice president of case management, physician advisor, and hospitalist at McLeod Health, Florence, S.C.

The hospitalist movement was relatively new when Dr. Craven was in medical school. His fascination with the specialty gave his childhood goal of becoming a physician direction. His experience in the medicolegal field and as a physician advisor bring a unique perspective to The Hospitalist’s editorial board.

I’ve always viewed hospitalizations as pivotal times in patients’ lives and have enjoyed guiding patients and families through those experiences.

Dr. Craven

Q: Why did you choose a career in hospital medicine?

A: I knew I wanted to be a physician since childhood. During medical school, the hospitalist movement had recently started, and I was fascinated by a physician specialty being defined by the location of services provided rather than an organ system. I’ve always viewed hospitalizations as pivotal times in patients’ lives and have enjoyed guiding patients and families through those experiences.

Q: What’s been your biggest success?

A: My biggest success has by far been my family. I have a wonderful wife and two daughters, both of whom were born prematurely, one at 28 weeks and the other at 33 weeks. Our time spent in the NICU was transformative for our family and changed how I view health care.

Q: What challenges have you overcome?

I’d say my challenges have been no different from any other physician or hospitalist. I was especially challenged during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finding balance and preventing burnout has been an ongoing struggle.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

A: Currently, I primarily work as a physician advisor and the majority of my day-to-day work is in denial management. I find meaning and purpose in overturning denials for my health care system and ensuring a patient’s hospitalization is fully covered by their insurer.

Q: Why did you join SHM?

A: SHM has been an amazing experience for me not just from an educational standpoint but also regarding networking and meeting other hospitalists and physician advisors across the country. No other organization is fighting for the interests of hospitalists and the patients we serve like SHM is.

Q: Why did you become an editorial board member?

A: I love reading The Hospitalist and felt I might be able to offer a unique perspective given my experience in the medicolegal world and as a physician advisor.

Q: What’s the first page you turn to when you get your copy of The Hospitalist?

A: I always read the “In The Literature” section to help to stay up to date on the latest articles published in hospital medicine.

Q: What topics would you like to see more of in The Hospitalist?

I would like to see more articles about career transitions and side gigs for hospitalists. I think there is a lot of interest in these areas based on what I read in various online physician forums.

Q: What’s your best piece of advice for new hospitalists?

A: Learn to find balance. Enjoy your time off. But also plan for the future. You won’t be able to work 7 on/7 off for the rest of your career. Try to plan ahead and find a “plan B” for your career as you get older.

Q: What’s something someone would be surprised to know about you?

A: I was a music major in college and was an accomplished trumpet player at one time.

Q: What do you wish the world knew about hospitalists?

A: Hospitalists are the backbone of inpatient health care delivery across the country. This was demonstrated undoubtedly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Without us, the health care system would collapse.

Q: How do you stay motivated during stressful days?

A: I try to focus on the patient’s perspective. My day might be difficult, but what can I do to help improve the patient’s overall experience? This has gotten me through many tough days.

Dr. Craven is the vice president of case management, physician advisor, and hospitalist at McLeod Health in Florence, S.C. He earned his medical degree from The University of Tennessee College of Medicine, in Memphis, Tenn., and completed his internal medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C.