What Is Hospitalist Medicine?

Hospitalist medicine is a style of health care. It involves one physician, a hospitalist, treating the patient from admission to the hospital until discharge.

History

• The hospitalist pattern of care began to be noticed on a large scale in 1996.

Prevalence

• The estimated number of hospitalists has grown from approximately 1,000 in 1999 to about 28,000 in 2009. From 2006 to 2007, the number of hospitalists grew 20 percent. As of 2007, 58 percent of hospitals used the hospitalist medicine model of care.

Organizations

• As of 2009, the Society of Hospital Medicine has approximately 10,000 physician members. It distributes a monthly publication and a journal. The society offers hospitalists continuing education.

Results

• In the January 23, 2009 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association," Drs. Wachter and Goldman stated the use of the hospitalist model of care decreases costs without damaging the quality of care given to the patient. Education to the patient may increase with hospitalist care.

Predictions

• The hospital movement is expected to continue to grow. Predictions are that it will be increasingly seen as a type of physician specialty. (See Reference 3)