Over the last few years there has been an emergence of a new specialty called the "Hospitalist". These are physicians that specialize in care of patients during their stay in a hospital. They have been introduced in the Phoenix area primarily by certain health plans. There are however Hospitalist groups that have been formed independent of health plans.

Hospitalists are fully trained physicians, often times Internists, Pulmonologists (lung specialists) or other adult medicine specialists. Currently there is not a board certification for Hospitalist other than the specialty in which they were originally trained.

Because these physicians spend their entire time in the hospital, they are available throughout the day for admissions and emergencies. They take care of patients in the same manner as your Internist might, including ordering treatments, tests and consulting with specialty physicians where appropriate. However once the patient is discharged, the care returns to the patients primary care physician or Internist.

Currently several health plans are encouraging use of the Hospitalists rather than their members being admitted under the care of their primary care physician. There are health plans that are mandating use of the hospitalist.

At Thunderbird Internal Medicine we have our patients cared for by hospitalists. If you are admitted to the hospital by a hospitalist your Physician is notified of the admission. We get continual updates from the hospital and we can access your records at the hospital when needed. 

We recognize that this new concept can create confusion for patients. We will do everything we can to facilitate your care. We will strive to make sure that our patients are cared for in the manner that meets our high standards.