What is a Hospitalist?
This is a physician whose training is in internal medicine. The primary professional
focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. In other words the Hospital is their office. Hospitalists provide
care for patients of physicians with whom they have agreements as well as those patients who do not have a Primary Care Physician
(PCP). Unlike the Primary Care Physician who spends the majority of his time in his office or clinic, the Hospitalist’s
entire workday is spent in the hospital.
Advantages of
the Hospitalist
The Hospitalist offers a greater expertise of the hospital-based specialists; this
ability helps to reduce costs without compromising the quality of patient care or satisfaction. By being in the hospital daily
they are able to monitor the patient’s progress on a daily basis. The Hospitalist’s all over expertise enables
him to manage patient’s varied needs during their hospitalization.
What does my Hospitalist
know about me?
Your Hospitalist physician will spend some extra time with you to learn about you and
your needs. The Hospitalist will communicate with your primary care physician, who will in turn give as much medical history
pertaining to you as possible. With this information, the Hospitalist will help to provide you with the best medical care.
What if you don’t have
a Primary Care Physician?
At the time of your discharge, your Hospitalist will refer you to a primary care physician
and provide that physician with your hospital information.
It is important that you establish a relationship and
follow up with a primary care physician. On-going medical care is necessary to keep you healthy.
