In 1996, the term “hospitalist” appeared for the first time in the New England Journal of Medicine. The term was defined as an inpatient physician who coordinates care for hospitalized patients. Since then, hospital medicine has swiftly become the fastest-growing medical specialty in modern medicine.
Today, it is a pleasure to recognize the 60,000+ hardworking hospitalists for the vital role they play in the healthcare industry. Hospital medicine doctors are responding to the ever-increasing need for medical services, filling gaps in the delivery of care across the country.
2023 marks the fifth year of celebrating National Hospitalist Day. This year, we focus on the future of hospital medicine. The themes include:
- Mentors in the field of hospital medicine
- Medical students and residents who represent the future of the field
- Innovators in the field who are advancing and transforming the growing specialty
Why Is It Important to Celebrate National Hospitalist Day?
The holiday focuses on promoting patient-centered care. National Hospitalist Day serves as a reminder to celebrate the individuals and teams that make up the hospital medicine community. These healthcare professionals always prioritize continuous care for our patients.
Hospitalists serve as the single point of contact for a patient. They help guide patients through treatment and reduce uncertainty during hospitalization. Hospital medicine physicians oversee the entire journey of patient care from admittance to discharge, delivering direct care, consultations, and preoperative evaluations.
March 2nd recognizes our hospital medicine professionals. Hospital medicine physicians actively support and implement evidence-based guidelines and practices. Hospitalists provide optimal continuity of care and enhance the performance of hospitals and healthcare systems each day.
Hospital Medicine Residency programs incorporate business and operational aspects of medicine. The hospitalist role is a hybrid of internist and generalist. This exposes hospital medicine physicians to more cases than if they focused on a single specialty. Hospitalists are also equipped to help develop effective processes to improve quality, inpatient flow, and hospital operations.
Hospitalists improve the efficiency of care for hospitalized patients. Patient care is the primary role of the hospitalist. However, the profession was built on a foundation for improving the hospital system. Hospital medicine physicians are responsible for internal innovation, improving efficiency, and fostering collaboration between hospital departments.
How Can We Celebrate National Hospitalist Day?
Appreciate a hospitalist you know! National Hospitalist Day is a chance to take pride in how hospitalists are transforming patient care and say thank you. Whether you send a text message, tag them on social media, or send a handwritten note, saying thank you goes a long way!
#HowWeHospitalist The Society of Hospital Medicine encourages you to spread awareness on social media! Share your story; how you are making a difference in the lives of patients? Don't forget to use the hashtags #NationalHospitalistDay and #HowWeHospitalist to spotlight why you are proud to practice hospital medicine.
At Medicus, we understand the positive impact hospitalists have on the outcomes of hospitalized patients through their dedication, innovation, and collaboration. Every day, hospital medicine professionals strive to improve patient lives, as well as the field of hospital medicine.
On March 2 and throughout the year, Medicus appreciates you and all hospitalists!
If you are interested in locum tenens hospital medicine opportunities, learn more about current opportunities here.
