Imagine that you have been admitted to the hospital, and while there, you will naturally require the counsel of an experienced onsite physician.
Whether that doctor is an employed hospitalist or locum tenens hospitalist, they will have a responsibility to you to ensure you receive proper care during your stay and long after you’ve been discharged.
Responsibility #1: Treat You with Respect
All medical professionals work for their patients, first and foremost. They should treat you with respect and honor your experience.
The same is true of your locum tenens hospitalist. They are no different from any other members of your hospital or medical team, and it doesn’t matter if they treat you for one day or several weeks.
Insist on respect when it comes to your health.
Responsibility #2: Complete a Thorough Diagnosis
Sure, your locum tenens hospitalist may only be scheduled at the hospital for a short period of time, but that fact doesn’t change their focus.
You deserve a thorough diagnosis based on your presenting issues and any tests that are completed before and during your hospital stay.
The locum tenens hospitalist may consult with specialists and other members of the hospital staff to provide you with the right diagnosis and treatment plan.
Responsibility #3: Maintain Open Communications
One of the base tenets of great customer service is the ability to communicate openly. Where patient care is concerned, you are the customer, so it is essentially the same as customer service.
Therefore, you deserve a locum tenens hospitalist who is able to discuss the facts of your case with you and your family openly and honestly.
Responsibility #4: Collaborate with Your Medical Team
Everyone who is involved in your case needs to be on the same team, and that includes your locum tenens hospitalist.
While your doctor is a temporary member of your medical team, they are a critical part of that team and need to share information back and forth with your primary physician and any other involved parties.
Responsibility #5: Make Recommendations for Aftercare
Your locum tenens hospitalist wants you to get healthy and stay healthy long after you are discharged from the hospital. Because of that, they will make recommendations regarding your ongoing treatment after your discharge from the hospital.
Your role, then, is to listen and participate in this crucial component of your plan so that you can maintain your good health.
Whether your hospital stay involves interacting with an employed hospitalist or a locum tenens hospitalist, you should expect the same level of care and concern for your health.
These professionals treat patients day in and day out, so they know what to expect and should communicate with you to ensure that everyone is on the same page.