Academic internal medicine hospitalist professional identity development

In contrast to a "deficit" view of generalists lacking focus on a specific disease or organ system, academic internal medicine hospitalist professional identity encompasses distinct roles and skills. While hospitalists individualize their activities outside the context of patient care, the core clinician identity remains a beacon guiding these activities. Hospitalists' varied and ambiguous concepts of what it means to be academic may contribute to lagging academic progress. Organizations should support hospitalists' unique professional identities, seek clarity around what it means to be academic, and foster ongoing professional identity development.