PORT TOWNSEND — Determining whether to hire doctors or nurse practitioners — known as hospitalists — to see patients at Jefferson General Hospital is one of the pieces of the strategic plan currently being studied by the hospital’s commissioners.
“We’re getting differing views from physicians,” Bob Campbell, associate administrator for strategic business development, told the hospital board during a 2½-hour meeting on the strategic plan this week.
Campbell said some physicians don’t like the idea of a hospitalist taking care of their patients in the hospital.
He said patient retention is one of the issues physicians consider about hospitalists.
On the other hand, said Chief Executive Officer Vic Dirksen, some physicians want to limit their practices to their offices and don’t want to make hospital visits.
Paula Dowdle, chief operating officer, sees hospitalists playing an important role in improving patient access to their physicians.
