Standing in the middle of hospitalist specialization

HN: Do you think this is good for medicine, for patients, and for hospitalists?

Dr. Nelson: Probably, yes. Clearly, there is a giant cost incurred in reduced continuity of care. If patients are now shuffled between an entirely separate compliment of doctors across all specialties in the hospital and a whole different batch of them outside of the hospital, that’s a risky thing. But it seems like it’s the only practical solution. The system is collapsing. The old system isn’t holding up to the demands of 2013. There are weaknesses to the hospitalist idea, but it’s maybe the best of the bad solutions. Sure, it’s got big problems, but I think it is the right step to be taking at this point.

–Mary Ellen Schneider

Take us to your leader. Nominate a hospitalist whose work inspires you. E-mail suggestions to m.schneider@elsevier.com.