From the Guidelines
A doctor who is board certified in hospitalist medicine can still practice outpatient medicine, as their foundational training and certification in internal medicine provide the necessary knowledge and skills to manage adult medical conditions in any setting. Hospital medicine is considered a focused practice designation within internal medicine, not a separate specialty, and board certification in hospital medicine requires first becoming board certified in internal medicine 1. This means that hospitalists already possess the training and certification needed for both inpatient and outpatient care. While hospitalists typically focus on caring for hospitalized patients, their internal medicine training equips them with the knowledge and skills to manage a wide range of adult medical conditions, including those encountered in outpatient settings. Many hospitalists choose to maintain some outpatient practice, particularly in rural areas or to maintain a broader scope of practice, and the decision to practice in outpatient settings may depend on individual career preferences, employment arrangements, and maintaining clinical competencies in outpatient medicine through continuing medical education. Key principles from the American College of Physicians position paper on dynamic clinical care teams support the idea that clinicians should be permitted to practice to the full extent of their training, skills, and experience, and that licensure and regulation should not restrict qualified clinicians from providing care that is commensurate with their training and competencies 1.
Some key points to consider include:
- Hospitalists are trained in internal medicine, which provides a broad foundation for managing adult medical conditions in any setting
- Board certification in hospital medicine requires prior board certification in internal medicine
- Hospitalists may choose to maintain some outpatient practice, depending on individual circumstances and career goals
- Continuing medical education is important for maintaining clinical competencies in outpatient medicine
- Licensure and regulation should support, rather than restrict, qualified clinicians from providing care that is commensurate with their training and competencies 1.
Overall, the training and certification of hospitalists provide a strong foundation for practicing outpatient medicine, and individual hospitalists may choose to do so based on their career goals, employment arrangements, and maintenance of clinical competencies.
From the Research
Hospitalist Medicine and Outpatient Practice
- A doctor who is board certified in hospitalist medicine may still be able to practice outpatient medicine, but the scope of their practice may be limited by their training and certification 2.
- Hospitalist medicine is a field that focuses on the care of hospitalized patients, and hospitalists may not receive the same training in outpatient medicine as internal medicine physicians 2.
- However, hospitalists may still be able to provide outpatient care to patients, especially if they have received additional training or have experience in outpatient medicine.
Scope of Practice
- The scope of practice for hospitalists may vary depending on their individual training and experience, as well as the policies of their institution or practice 2.
- Hospitalists may be able to provide outpatient care for patients with certain conditions or populations, such as patients with chronic diseases or elderly patients.
- However, hospitalists may not be able to provide the full range of outpatient services that an internal medicine physician would provide, such as preventive care or routine check-ups.
Relevant Studies
- A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine discussed the role of hospitalists in internal medicine and their potential impact on patient care and medical education 2.
- However, none of the other studies provided directly address the question of whether a doctor board certified in hospitalist medicine can practice outpatient medicine 3, 4, 5, 6.