LocumLife - March 2009 - (Page 18) Internist to Hospitalist: Locum tenens physicians make the transition An increasing number of internal medicine physicians are considering a move from the traditional primary care practice to the faster-paced, acute care setting. Read on as a staffing industry representative and two physicians discuss the transition from internist to hospitalist, and how locum tenens provides a viable means of test-driving this role. “ ithin the locum tenens industry, there seems to be a trend of internal medicine physicians moving into the hospitalist field,” says Sue Trobee Collyer, a staffing consultant for Norcross, Georgia-based Medical Doctor Associates. “The lifestyle of a hospitalist is very appealing because the time commitment is less involved than that of a traditional internist. Hospitalists complete their shifts and then go home, plus the flexible scheduling and compensation are also very attractive.” What are the differences between internists and hospitalists? “Traditional internal medicine physicians are in charge of long-term continuity of care in a clinic or outpatient setting,” she explains. “Hospitalists, on the other hand, handle only the inpatient care component. They see individuals W Karen Tull who are very ill and often utilize their diagnostic skills during every patient visit. Plus, hospitalists may perform procedures.” She adds, “Unlike internists, they do not have established relationships with patients. Hospitalists treat patients only while they are in the hospital—after they are released, their care is turned back over to their primary care providers.” Responsibilities, says Ms. Trobee, depend on the specific needs of the client facility and how its hospitalist program is structured. “Most often, hospitalists will be expected to handle admissions, procedures, rounds, and discharge summaries, as well as respond to codes, read EKGs, and sometimes take call.” Block scheduling is the most popular model. Typically, hospitalists cover 12-hour shifts for 7 days and www.LocumLife.com 18 LocumLife MARCH 2009 Photo: Getty Images/Thomas Barwick http://www.LocumLife.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.