Hospitalist

Hospitalists are physicians who work full-time in the hospital setting. Hospitalists typically work long shifts, often 12 hours at a time and may work 5 to 10 days in a row, taking 5 to 10 days off in rotation. Hospitalists may be employed by the hospitals or by private groups, and are responsible for admitting patients, caring for them during their inpatient stay and discharging them. They may care for patients on behalf of community physicians, or may see only patients who do not have a primary care physician.