Inside the Role: What Is a Hospitalist?

Hospitalists play a vital role in modern healthcare, serving as the backbone of hospital-based patient care. As specialized physicians focused exclusively on the management of patients during their hospital stay, a hospitalist bridges the gap between various departments, coordinate complex treatment plans, and ensure continuity of care.

Dr. Thomas George, Hospitalist and Medical Director of Inpatient Services at Fort HealthCare, shares what this role entails and why it has become an invaluable position in the healthcare sector.

Role of the Hospitalist

Dr. George provides a helpful example of what a hospitalist does—and when they typically enter the picture—with this scenario:

A patient arrives at the emergency room (ER), where the ER physician on duty initially evaluates them. Once that evaluation is complete, the ER physician connects with the hospitalist to collaborate on a plan to either admit the patient or discharge them. If the decision is made to admit the patient, the hospitalist takes over care until that patient leaves the hospital.

During the time the patient is in the hospital, whether in the ICU or on the general medical care floor, a hospitalist often works with specialty providers, such as pulmonologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. Such a collaboration of care allows for optimal outcomes.

Importance of a Physician Presence 24/7, 365

The hospitalist strategy differs from the historical approach, where a patient’s primary care provider was tasked with attending to the patient while they were in the hospital. At one point, hospitals and health systems recognized the need to have a physician presence 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.

“Ever since the advent of the hospitalist occurred, the care has just been the best care. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that primary care providers did not give the best care. However, having a physician presence, having a provider there to answer nursing questions as well as questions a family might have regarding their loved ones makes a big difference,” states Dr. George.

Hospitalist Outpatient Program: Maximizing Patient Outcomes

One key consideration in ensuring the patient achieves the best possible outcome is to provide a seamless discharge and guarantee subsequent follow-up care with one’s primary care provider. Follow-up is crucial, particularly for patients with cardiovascular concerns, COPD, kidney disease, or any type of chronic condition. A new initiative at Fort HealthCare that aims to do this is the Hospitalist Outpatient Program.

“We want to make sure patients take their medications on time, and at the same time know they will follow up and will do as recommended by the hospitalist. By any chance, if a patient cannot see their primary care provider or other specialist within a time period of about five to seven days, we will see the patient to make sure they get the appropriate care,” assures Dr. George. “This does not mean we will continue to see those patients after their discharge. It just means we are there to bridge that gap.”