If you require inpatient hospital treatment, you may have your care coordinated by a “hospitalist,” a physician whose primary responsibility is working in hospital settings.  Hospitalists are medical physicians who specialize in hospital care. They may be internists, family medicine physicians, pulmonologists, or other specialists who are familiar with the hospital’s systems, and provide comprehensive care for patients during their stay in the hospital.  They also maintain close relationships with specialty physicians who may be on your care team as well.

Last Reviewed:  January 2008