LocumLife - March 2009 - (Page 22) Internist to hospitalist “My responsibility,” he notes, “is to admit and treat patients, and then to discharge them when their acute issue is resolved. I have treated congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, stroke, immobility, renal failure, diabetes and its acute complications, and infection of any organ. Plus, any condition that is unknown to everyone—including specialists—falls into my lap. That is what makes being a hospitalist both interesting and challenging.” How does he compare hospital medicine with the clinic setting? “In general, I have found the intensity of care to be greater in hospitals than it is in clinics. Although I have never been required to perform procedures, I am prepared and believe it is always good to have the necessary skill set. Indeed, the substantial body of knowledge required to practice inpatient care makes it demanding. But, I have more control over the way I practice medicine, both from the patient and insurance standpoints, and this has given me a better quality of life.” Practicing hospital medicine, particularly as a locum tenens physician, has also placed him in unique learning situations. “Small hospitals in small towns are attractive to me,” says Dr. Liu, “but specialty support is not always readily available at these facilities, so I have to know a lot to provide quality care. I think hospitalist opportunities are especially beneficial for young physicians who are still going through the maturing process.” And, as Dr. Liu points out, this specialty is becoming increasingly popular with younger doctors. “Most internal medicine physicians coming out of residency tend to like hospital medicine more than the clinic setting,” he explains. “They are comfortable with it because training programs focus almost exclusively on acute care.” What advice does he give to other internists considering temporary hospitalist contracts? “Hospitalist opportunities are roughly the same everywhere—the difference will be region and hospital size. Before accepting a contract, look at the local culture to see if it is compatible with your lifestyle. Secondly, I do not recommend scheduling another opportunity immediately after your final shift of the previous contract. Avoid stress by allowing yourself time. And lastly, keep in mind that you may have to go through an extra hurdle to prove your competency to the local physicians.” As for the future, Dr. Liu will continue with full-time locum tenens. “For now, I do not have plans to return to the clinic setting,” he notes. “I enjoy primary care, but I feel it is virtually impossible for a general internist to do well in both outpatient and inpatient care. So, I will continue to seek out long-term hospitalist 22 LocumLife MARCH 2009 Interested? Circle #608 or go to www.locumlife.com/readerservice Interested? Circle #613 or go to www.locumlife.com/readerservice http://www.milleniamedical.com http://www.milleniamedical.com http://www.locumlife.com/readerservice http://www.whitakermedical.com http://www.whitakermedical.com http://www.locumlife.com/readerservice
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