The rotating hospitalist: a solution for an academic internal medicine practice.

Background: Concerns have been raised about the role that hospitalists may have in changing the educational process for medical students and residents, especially with regard to the primary care specialties.

Methods: We implemented rotating hospital and office duties within our five-physician group.

Results: Resident and student satisfaction increased, and additional faculty members could be added without expanding office space. Financial benefits then also ensued.

Conclusion: Rotating hospital with office duties among a small group of internists has resulted in most of the advantages with few of the drawbacks related to the hospitalist approach.