What is a Hospitalist?

These doctors are on staff around the clock at St. Joseph’s/Candler to take care of patients

If you find yourself in the hospital, chances are you are going to be seen by a doctor you’ve never met. That doctor is a Hospitalist – readily available to treat acute care patients.

The American Board of Physician Specialists defines Hospitalists as, “…physicians who have dedicated their careers to hospitalized patients.” Simply put, Hospitalists are medical specialists who most often earn a residency in internal, family or pediatric medicine to provide care for adults and children. They encompass diverse skill sets and are specialized in taking care of patients in a hospital setting.

“A Hospitalist is somebody who provides comprehensive care and addresses medical needs for whoever walks into the hospital. From headache to heartache a Hospitalist is skilled to provide general medical care,” says Dr. Tooba Anum, Hospitalist with Chatham Hospitalists, who sees patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “We are the basic driver of clinical care, and when deemed necessary, we incorporate multi-disciplinary approach by consulting specialists.”

The trend of Hospitalists started about 25 years ago. St. Joseph’s/Candler contracts with Chatham Hospitalists, LLC, which formed in 2005 in Savannah. Currently, there are approximately 30 Hospitalists between St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital that are staffed around the clock to care for patients. There are also hospital-dedicated nurse practitioners that see patients.

Candler Hospitalists treat about 80 percent of the adult general medicine population. At St. Joseph’s, Hospitalists see about 70 percent of the adult general medicine population. Conditions they treat include internal medicine admissions for heart failure, diabetes, cellulitis, and particularly at St. Joseph’s, orthopedics. They also co-manage surgical patients.

“It’s not like a subspecialty where you are just focusing on one particular aspect,” Dr. Anum says. “You take a holistic approach, and you are addressing every organ system. During the period of hospitalization, decisions regarding care, consultation, admission, transfer and discharge is the responsibility of the Hospitalist, in consultation with the patient and, as appropriate, family members and the patient's primary care physician and any other specialists. Another important aspect is that the communication between the Hospitalist and the primary care physician ensures optimal patient outcomes and reduces hospital readmissions.”

In addition to directly treating illnesses, Hospitalists do a lot of coordination of care among outpatient primary care physicians, specialists, physical and occupational therapists and case managers to ensure the patient is cared for not only in the hospital setting but also during the transition of care in the outpatient setting. Hospitalists also assist with end-of-life planning, if necessary.

“I typically like sitting with my patients so I can know them better,” Dr. Anum says. “It helps develop a good rapport, develops good doctor-patient relationships, a better understanding of what’s happening, and what to expect and how to effectively handle symptoms. I value patient education and awareness the most as it leads towards better outcomes.”

While the concept of Hospitalists has been around for years, there are still some people unaware of the position and uncomfortable with the thought of a new doctor treating them. Dr. Anum wants to assure every patient that Hospitalists are highly-trained and here to serve them in a prompt manner.

“I try to tell them that I’m the hospital doctor, and I’m going to take care of everything,” Dr. Anum says. “I really enjoy talking to my patients. It’s all about having a good relationship with them. There’s also an internal satisfaction that you are serving your people and contributing towards a healthier community.”

For more information on Chatham Hospitalists, visit their website.