Contrary to what many people think, hospitalists don’t replace your primary care physicians. They’re your doctors while you’re in the hospital but communicate with your primary care physicians and coordinate your post-release care with them.
Below are some of the questions we’re most frequently asked about how hospitalists work.
Why do I need a hospitalist?
Most likely, your primary physician has a busy practice outside the hospital. That means you could end up waiting 24-48 hours between visits. A hospitalist is on premises ready to see you, make decisions on your treatment and monitor results.
Additionally, hospitalists have a dedicated staff who handle many of their physicians’ administrative responsibilities, relieving their doctors of paperwork and allowing them to focus their time and energy on caring for their patients.
The result is expedited and highly personalized care that helps you recover and get back home as soon as possible.
Do I still keep my primary care doctor?
Yes, your hospitalist doctor will keep your primary care physician in the loop on all aspects of your treatment. As soon as you are discharged from the hospital, your primary physician will resume caring for you.
Does my primary care doctor have any input on my treatment during my hospitalization?
Good communication between the primary care doctor and hospitalist is essential. They are likely to consult with each other throughout your hospitalization. Your primary doctor can provide the hospitalist with important information regarding your medical history.
Once you’re discharged, your hospitalist will give your primary care doctor any information needed to continue your treatment.
Look for our next post where we’ll answer a few more of our most commonly asked questions. Central Florida Hospitalist Partners is your trusted source for accurate information on hospitalists!