Background: Trust has long been considered an important element in the doctor-patient relationship, and historically physicians have been considered one of the most trusted professions in the US. However, recent data suggests that patient trust in the healthcare system has eroded. One hypothesized cause of this loss of trust is the breakdown of the doctor-patient […]

Background: Patients discharged to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) are at significantly higher risk of readmission within 30 days. For hospitalists at the Cleveland Clinic, the rate in 2012 to date is 25.8%. The physician communication during this transition for the patient can be suboptimal because of poor understanding of the reality of care in […]

Case Presentation: A 19‐year‐old female with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis on immunosuppressants presented with 3 days of fevers, flank pain, and headaches. Two weeks prior, she was treated with penicillin because of a positive pharyngeal rapid streptococcal test. Her temperature was 39.4°C, heart rate 140 per minute, respiratory rate 28 per minute, and […]

Background: Our experience developing the Comprehensive Care Physician (CCP) program within the Section of Hospital Medicine at the University of Chicago has illustrated the value of relational continuity in the care of patients with complex medical needs. For patients with increased risk of hospitalization and who are willing to find a new primary care physician, […]