New Senior Hospitalist Initiative: a new medical career pathway for NSW Health

New South Wales (NSW) is developing a new medical career pathway for hospitalists. Hospitalists will provide a range of clinical services and promote coordinated patient care across disciplines. The establishment of the hospitalist role and development of an education program for experienced non-specialist doctors was recommended by the Garling Special Commission of Inquiry into Acute Care Services in NSW public hospitals. The report recognised that “Hospitalists have an important role in coordinating the care of a patient who has needs which cross boundaries of individual specialities”.

The hospitalist pathway offers a flexible, interesting and attractive career to non-specialists keen to remain involved in acute patient care, while leading improvements in the coordination of hospital services. The pathway will be supported by the Masters of Clinical Medicine (Leadership and Management) which will focus on the range of skills required for senior hospitalist roles within NSW Health. The Masters, or equivalent, will be a requirement for eligibility for NSW Health Senior Hospitalist positions as an alternative to the Senior Career Medical Officer Grading Committee.

The 2-year part-time Masters, endorsed by NSW Health, will begin in 2012. The program is open to non-specialist doctors with 3 years full-time postgraduate medical experience. It will be accessible statewide through flexible delivery options and will have a substantial workplace component. To support eligible NSW Health doctors to participate in the Masters, the Department will sponsor 15 places in 2012.

Those interested in finding out more about the Senior Hospitalist Initiative, including sponsorship and enrolment information, should check the NSW Health website at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/training/hospitalist/

Cathie Hull, Senior Policy Officer, NSW Ministry of Health

Catherine Ellis, Principal Policy Analyst, NSW Ministry of Health