Comments on: The market works for hospitalist salaries http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/08/market-works-for-hospitalist-salaries.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/08/market-works-for-hospitalist-salaries.html#comment-86998 Anonymous Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:23:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/08/the-market-works-for-hospitalist-salaries.html#comment-86998 There's no question any patients just want their antibiotic for their cold, rash, bug bite, etc. or to get a referral to see a specialist. They (and BCBS/Medicare/Medicaid) will be more than happy with the midlevels.<br/><br/>The question will be how many patients will see value in having a generalist physician and be willing to pay extra for this level of care. Those few patients will expect a higher level of customer service than is found in most third party payer dependent practices. There’s no question any patients just want their antibiotic for their cold, rash, bug bite, etc. or to get a referral to see a specialist. They (and BCBS/Medicare/Medicaid) will be more than happy with the midlevels.

The question will be how many patients will see value in having a generalist physician and be willing to pay extra for this level of care. Those few patients will expect a higher level of customer service than is found in most third party payer dependent practices.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/08/market-works-for-hospitalist-salaries.html#comment-86997 Anonymous Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:19:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/08/the-market-works-for-hospitalist-salaries.html#comment-86997 I am still cynical.<br/>As the article points out, hospitalists need to be subsidized and this subsidy has increased recently.<br/><br/>Right now there is a demand, but eventually the market will be glutted with disillusioned primary care doctors.<br/><br/>Plus, there still is no significant data that hospitalists improve quality and/or decrease costs. Many studies have not shown a difference between hospitalists and community attendings. Those that have are debatable.<br/><br/>There is no substitute for continuity of care.<br/><br/>A note of alarm to my fellow primary care doctors, particularly the younger ones: you may think that giving up hospital care will improve your quality of life and bottom line, but, in reality, you are just making yourself more easily replacable.<br/><br/>A worried family practitioner I am still cynical.
As the article points out, hospitalists need to be subsidized and this subsidy has increased recently.

Right now there is a demand, but eventually the market will be glutted with disillusioned primary care doctors.

Plus, there still is no significant data that hospitalists improve quality and/or decrease costs. Many studies have not shown a difference between hospitalists and community attendings. Those that have are debatable.

There is no substitute for continuity of care.

A note of alarm to my fellow primary care doctors, particularly the younger ones: you may think that giving up hospital care will improve your quality of life and bottom line, but, in reality, you are just making yourself more easily replacable.

A worried family practitioner

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