Hospitalist
About This Article
Article Details
Published: May 10, 2004
Updated: May 10, 2004
Having one or more physicians on-site at all times means we’re never more than a few minutes away. In case of emergencies or changes in your condition, you can be assured a physician will be close by to respond quickly. Our team of hospitalists is also able to assist you through a smooth, quick recovery process by following up on tests, adjusting your treatment needs and managing and coordinating all aspects of your care.
What is a Hospitalist?
Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in caring for patients in the hospital and generally practice only in the acute care setting. Most hospitalists are board certified in internal medicine, family practice or pediatrics; but some also have additional certification in specialties such as pulmonology, cardiology or critical care medicine.
Because our hospitalist program operates on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week schedule, our team of highly qualified, dedicated physicians works together to provide care. This means you will likely be seen by more than one physician during hospitalization, but the care will be well coordinated and seamless.
How does the Hospitalist communicate with my physician?
At the time of admission to Duke Raleigh Hospital your primary care physician contacts the hospitalists to inform them of your condition and treatment needs. The primary care physician is asked to provide as much information as possible about your illness and health background. This process is similar to what your physician does when referring you to a specialist.
Throughout your stay and at the time of discharge, the hospitalist taking care of you will communicate with your physician. Upon discharge, written information will be forwarded to your physician’s office so he/she will have a record of your care and treatment during your hospitalization in order to resume your medical care.
