What do you first think of when you learn that a loved one has been hospitalized? Most of us worry about our loved one getting the best treatment, having appropriate follow-up care and being sent home when they are well. As the person’s family doctor, I may connect with the team in the hospital to ensure a smooth transition when it is time for discharge. The last thing I would want for my patient or your loved one is for them to be discharged before it is medically appropriate.
As a family physician, I work along with patients in the ongoing management of their chronic diseases as well as providing preventative care services. However, if an elderly patient comes into my office with signs of severe pneumonia, the likelihood is that this patient needs to be hospitalized