In the recent past a hospitalized patient expected to see one’s primary care practitioner making rounds, examining patients and writing “orders.”
An article in Newsday addressed the question: “Do you know if your primary care physician will manage your care if you are admitted to the hospital?”
“Reflecting today’s changing medical practices, some primary care doctors don’t set foot inside their patients’ hospital rooms at all — leaving their care to physicians called hospitalists.
The specialty of hospitalist — a doctor employed by a hospital to care for admitted patients — began emerging about 15 years ago and stems from a variety of factors that include health care reform and soaring medical expenses, experts and officials said.
Hospitalists track the condition of patients after they are admitted — arranging for tests and specialist care instead of having primary care doctors attend to them.
Those who advocate the expanding use of hospitalists say their presence means hospitalized patients don’t have to wait for their own doctors to appear to check on them and give orders for their care.
But some experts contend that the move toward hospitalists may be a disguised attempt to churn patients in and out quickly so hospitals can make money on their stays but still avoid expensive testing that drives up costs.”
Click here to read the full Newsday article “Hospitalists play rising role in health care” by Kathleen Kerr.
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Doctor, Did You Wash Your Hands? ™ provides information to consumers on understanding, managing and navigating health care options.
Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H., is Clinical Professor, Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Adjunct Professor, Baruch College ( C.U.N.Y.), Rutgers School of Public Health, and Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration.
This blog shares general information about understanding and navigating the health care system. For specific medical advice about your own problems, issues and options talk to your personal physician.