Doctor's Notebook

Hospitalists are bridging the gap in medical care

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This week I spoke with Dr. Beth Barron, co-chief of the Hospitalist Division at the NYP Allen Hospital and a leading educator in the Columbia University Department of Medicine.  

Dr. Neuberg:  Beth, can you explain the rise of hospitalists?

Dr. Barron:  Hospitalists are board-certified internal medicine physicians who practice medicine in a hospital setting. The need for this type of doctor evolved for a few reasons. Outpatient primary care physicians were challenged in splitting their time between the office and the hospital. It was difficult to come and care for a patient before or after clinic hours. 

Historically, the training doctors (residents) were the back-up care but oversight of the type of work they do and limitation of their work hours has reduced their availability. Also, patients in the hospital are increasingly sick and in need of more constant, round-the-clock attention.  

Many treatments that historically were done in the hospital (transfusions, chemotherapy, even many surgeries) are now handled as outpatient procedures, leading to an increasingly complex and sick hospital patient population. Because of all of this, it became difficult for many outpatient physicians to care for their patients in the hospital and they needed help.

Dr. Neuberg:  How does a patient transition back to their primary care provider?

Dr. Barron:  This is extremely important! Patient information must be communicated at both admission and discharge. 

NYP Allen Hospital, hospitalists, Dr. Gerry Neuberg, Doctor's Notebook
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