In the recent past a hospitalized patient expected to see one’s primary care practitioner making rounds, examining patients and writing “orders.”
Recently an article in Newsday http://www.newsday.com/ * 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.”
*to read the full Newsday article “Hospitalists play rising role in health care” by Kathleen Kerr, highlight and click on open hyperlink http://www.newsday.com/news/health/hospitalists-play-rising-role-in-health-care-1.5022035
Note: 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.