US Medical Term · departments
Hospitalist
Hospitalista
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Hospitalist |
| Spanish (Español) | Hospitalista |
| Chinese (中文) | 住院科医生 |
| Korean (한국어) | 입원 전문의 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Bác sĩ nội trú |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Hospitalist |
| Portuguese (Português) | Hospitalista |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | แพทย์ประจำโรงพยาบาล |
| Japanese (日本語) | ホスピタリスト（入院専門医） |
What it means
A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in the care of patients during a hospital admission. Unlike patients' regular outpatient doctors, hospitalists are based in the hospital and manage the full course of inpatient care — coordinating tests, medications, specialist consultations, and discharge planning. Patients admitted to a hospital are typically cared for by the on-call hospitalist rather than their own primary care provider. Hospitalists are generally in-network for the hospital but patients should confirm this to avoid surprise billing.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I was admitted to the hospital and a hospitalist will be managing my care while I am here.
Fui ingresado al hospital y un hospitalista se encargará de mi atención mientras estoy aquí.
The hospitalist reviewed my chart and adjusted my medications during my stay.
El hospitalista revisó mi historial y ajustó mis medicamentos durante mi estancia.
Can the hospitalist send a summary to my primary care doctor after I am discharged?
¿Puede el hospitalista enviar un resumen a mi médico de cabecera después de que me den de alta?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Related guide
→ US Guide: how us health insurance worksSources
Last reviewed: September 2026