what is a hospitalist doctor

A hospitalist doctor is a physician who specializes in providing care for patients at a hospital. They have the same education and training as primary care doctors, but they focus on patient care inside a hospital, rather than on a specific organ or medical issue. Hospitalists are highly educated and trained individuals who have completed years of general education and specialized education at a medical school. They may have completed residency training in general internal medicine, pediatrics, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, or oncology. Hospitalists provide timely attention to all patient needs, including diagnosis, treatment, and coordination of care across the many specialists a patient might see during their stay. They manage patients from the moment they arrive at the hospital and all throughout their hospital stay, working with the patients primary care doctor and following up with them after their hospital visit. Hospitalists have specialized training in coordinated care between specialists, internal medicine, acute medical care, and ordering and evaluating diagnostic tests. They also support 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. Hospitalists provide efficient care delivery and improve clinical outcomes, reducing mortality rates, enhancing care coordination, preventing hospital-acquired infections, and facilitating comprehensive transitions of care.