When you’re in the hospital, a specialized team of providers will be dedicated to your medical care. This team, known as hospital medicine providers, serves as an extension of your medical providers outside the hospital, providing you with in-hospital care specific to the illness or injury you’re receiving treatment for.
Depending on your specific needs and medical condition, you may receive in-hospital care
from multiple types of hospital medicine providers.
What is a hospitalist?
A Hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for patients in the hospital and who usually does not have an outpatient medical practice. Most Hospitalists are general internal medicine physicians, family practice physician, or pediatricians. Some Hospitalist are trained as specialists in pulmonary/critical care medicine, cardiology, or other subspecialties.
When will I see my primary care physician?
In many areas of the country, primary care physicians are referring their patients to a Hospitalist when their patients are sick enough that they can no longer be cared for in the outpatient setting. During your hospital stay, you will be seen by a Hospitalist. You will see your regular doctor soon after discharge from the hospital.
Hospitalists provide many benefits to you and your doctor:
Your hospitalist care team will:
Hospitalists are physicians who care for patients who are in the hospital. This type of physician specializes in internal medicine or family medicine, and some have additional training in critical care medicine. They are part of your healthcare team to provide high-quality, efficient hospital care.
Pediatric hospitalists are pediatricians who care for pediatric patients who are in the hospital. They function as hospitalists do, but have specialty training in the unique and specific needs of children.
Acute care surgeons are surgeons who provide surgical treatment when a patient needs prompt medical attention. Acute care surgeons perform in-hospital surgical procedures in cases of trauma, critical care, and emergencies.
Also called critical care providers, intensivists are physicians who care for critically ill patients in the hospital. They have advanced training in treating patients who are in critical condition, typically within the intensive care unit.
