BY
DEVON CARTER
October 23, 2018
Being admitted to the hospital for
complications related to cancer or your treatment can be scary and stressful. But
hospitalists will help you during your stay.
These specialized members of the
medical team often have a background in internal medicine but they’re
specialized in order to coordinate care seamlessly and help patients navigate
through their time at the hospital.
To understand the role our
hospitalists play in a patient’s cancer treatment and care, we spoke with Marina George, M.D. Here’s what patients and
caregivers should know.
What does a hospitalist do?
The hospitalist is your attending
physician while you’re in the hospital. Our job is to synchronize all of your
care — including diagnose you, treat you, help you recover — and make your
hospital stay as smooth as possible. When our patients check into our hospital,
they aren’t just coming with cancer – they have an entire medical history that we
take into consideration, such as diabetes, heart disease or arthritis. The
hospitalist coordinates your regular clinic or outpatient care team – such as
your radiation oncologist, surgeon and/or medical oncologist – and also your
inpatient care team, such as nurses and any specialists you may need to see.
And we care for you during your entire hospital stay, from when you walk
through the door to when you’re discharged. Our goal is to getting you
recovered, out of the hospital and back to your cancer treatment in an
outpatient setting as quickly and safely as possible.
How do hospitalists coordinate care?
We’re your medical voice. Patients
don’t always know the questions to ask to have an informed, meaningful
discussion with their care team. But as hospitalists, we have the medical
knowledge and the time to spend with you to help you fully understand the
situation and your options, so you can make a confident choice about your care.
For example, if you’re on chemotherapy, but come to the hospital because
your tumor has grown and now obstructs your bowel, I’ll coordinate with your
medical oncologist as well as a surgeon. I’ll hear the risks and benefits of a
surgical intervention, and then meet with your medical oncologist to gather his
or her recommendation. I’ll then bring all options to you, explain the pros and
cons, and help you make a choice that’s in line with your values and wishes.
Hospitalists also help coordinate
communication with your family. If necessary, we hold family meetings with you
and your caregivers to ensure everyone is on the same page about your care.
What questions should I ask my
hospitalists?
It’s your time to ask anything. I tell
my patients to ask me all the questions they’ve always wanted to ask, but
haven’t had the chance or didn’t feel comfortable. You’ll have the time to
think about things while you’re in the hospital, and I have the time to answer
your questions or find you the answer.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to
ask questions. That’s what I’m here for.
Does it complicate things if I’m
enrolled a clinical trial?
No. We take care of patients on clinical trials exactly the same way we
care for patients who aren’t. We’ll let the principal investigator of the trial
know you’ve hit a road bump in your care and have been admitted to the
hospital, but our goals are still the same – to get you recovered and back to
your cancer treatment.
What’s your advice for a patient who’s
going to be hospitalized?
The first thing you should do is ask
for the name of your hospitalist. You want to make sure you know who is in
charge of your care so that you remain informed and confident in what’s going
on. When you meet your hospitalist, ask that individual to explain the status
of your care in detail. Ask them to explain your care plan for the hospital
stay and what medications you’ll be on. Then you can start planning together
what support you’ll need once you’re home, such as home care, medical equipment
or therapy.
Second, bring all of your medications
with you to the hospital. We can work together to organize things and
potentially consolidate what you’re taking.
Is there anything else you want
patients to know about hospitalists?
Know that we’re on your side. Your
hospitalist is your advocate. We’re going to communicate with the rest of your
care team about your goals and priorities while we coordinate your medical
care. We will act in your best interest.
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