Definition of a Hospitalist and Hospital
MedicineHospital medicine: A
medical specialty dedicated to the delivery of comprehensive medical
care to hospitalized patients. Practitioners of hospital medicine
include physicians (“hospitalists”) and non-physician providers who
engage in clinical care, teaching, research, or leadership in the field
of general hospital medicine. In addition to their core expertise
managing the clinical problems of acutely ill, hospitalized patients,
hospital medicine practitioners work to enhance the performance of
hospitals and healthcare systems by: Prompt
and complete attention to all patient care needs including diagnosis,
treatment, and the performance of medical procedures (within their scope
of practice). Employing quality and
process improvement techniques Collaboration, communication, and coordination with all
physicians and healthcare personnel caring for hospitalized
patients Safe transitioning of patient
care within the hospital, and from the hospital to the community, which
may include oversight of care in post-acute care
facilities. Efficient use of hospital
and healthcare resources
Hospitalist: A physician who specializes
in the practice of hospital medicine. Following medical school,
hospitalists typically undergo residency training in general internal
medicine, general pediatrics, or family practice, but may also receive
training in other medical disciplines. Some hospitalists undergo
additional post residency training specifically focused on hospital
medicine, or acquire other indicators of expertise in the field, such as
the Society of Hospital Medicine’s Fellowship in Hospital Medicine (FHM)
or the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Recognition of Focused
Practice (RFP) in Hospital Medicine. Approved
By SHM Board November 4, 2009
|
