Translating our role in population health management
I have written previously about the expanding role of hospitalists in population health management. In addition to the transitions of care work that we are all involved in, hospitalists must actively partner with our ambulatory colleagues to identify and communicate key barriers to care.
Hospitalists are already instrumental in a number of institutions providing inpatient and ambulatory care for a select group of patients with high utilization. We have the ability to care for high utilizers and partner with ambulatory providers who can ensure we care for patients with high burdens of disease in the most appropriate settings of care. In the fall of 2018, SHM is convening a group of experts in population health to discuss the role of hospitalists in this area.
While I don’t have a crystal ball to predict the future, sadly, SHM is committed to proactively defining and advancing our specialty. I am confident that together we can find the solutions that will successfully advance us towards the future.
Dr. Afsar is president of the Society of Hospital Medicine, and chief ambulatory officer and chief medical officer for accountable care organizations at UC Irvine Health.
