Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Hospital medicine refers to the medical care you receive while in the hospital. A pediatric hospitalist is a physician who has been trained in pediatrics and has advanced expertise in caring for the complex needs of a pediatric hospitalized patient. Children and adolescents who are hospitalized usually have more acute (or urgent) health care needs, requiring more management than other, non-hospitalized patients.
Hospitalists oversee your medical care, working closely with other patient care staff and physicians. They also connect with your primary care physician to coordinate and manage medications, treatments and other medical needs while hospitalized. Hospitalists care for children and adolescents with conditions including:
- Respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia or influenza
- Infectious diseases
- Recovery from injury or surgery
- Problems with ongoing issues such as asthma or diabetes