A reader queries:
What does an academic hospitalist do when not on service (7-8 mo/yr)?
Putting this question into context, what do academicians do in general? Academic medicine differs from full time practice because of the many varied responsibilities that we perform. Over the course of a typical week, most academic physicians engage in clinical work, teaching and research. Many also perform administrative duties.
Being an academic hospitalist differs from internal medicine specialties in the types of independent clinical work that one might do, and in the type of research that hospitalists do. Some hospitalists have their own hospitalist practice (seeing patients without housestaff). Many hospitalists serve on hospital committees (often important work related to quality). Most hospitalist research also focuses on quality care.
The life of an academic physician is varied. Many physicians dislike the administrative aspects, but I enjoy them.
I particularly enjoy the teaching on a ward team.
Others love getting involved in quality improvement (this activity often occurs in community hospitalist jobs).
I hope this answer makes sense. If not, keep asking questions. Thanks!
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3 Responses to The life of an academic hospitalist
curious george
June 4th, 2005 at 8:00 am
Given the current pressures of academic budgets, do you forsee academic hospitalist being allowed to maintain this type of work schedule or will they be forced to be more clinically productive in the future?
D
March 27th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
No one pays for teaching, because it doesn’t make hospitals money. Productivity is the key now. Many academic hospitalists who once had their bonuses based on teaching performance (student and resident evaluations) now find them based on how well they bill.
The mega trend for the future though, is individual physician performance. Once medical records are fully computerized, the data provided will allow very in depth evaluation of each doctor’s skill.
For example, a physician may have his salary reduced if, over a year, patients who should have been on ACE inhibitors were not discharged on one.
don fleming
September 7th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Does anyone know if it’s a violation of Stark rules for a Hospitalist to have a private practice while at the same time being a hospitalist for a non profit community hospital?