Senior Health (cont.)

What is a hospitalist and where is my regular doctor?

Hospitalists are board certified internal medicine physicians who see a majority of hospitalized patients on behalf of their regular doctors.

In modern day medicine, hospitalists play a key role in the medical care of patients in hospitals. As seniors make up a significant portion of patients in hospitals, hospitalists are also critical to the medical care of the elderly. Upon release form the hospital, the medical care is transferred back to the primary care doctor on an outpatient basis. This transfer of care is usually done by communication between hospitalists and primary care doctors.

Although this system may seem disjointed at first, there are some obvious benefits to it. Hospitalists are often well trained in the care of hospitalized seniors and generally are very proficient in reducing potential risks associated with hospitalization of the elderly. Moreover, because they are physically in hospitals most of the time, hospitalists are more readily available to address urgent situations and to spend time discussing care plans with patients and families.

REFERENCES:

MedicineNet.com. Senior Exercise.

MedLinePlus.gov. Seniors' Health.

NIHSeniorHealth.gov.

Last Editorial Review: 8/23/2011

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/senior_health/article.htm