The Value of an Infectious Diseases Specialist

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases Vol. 36; no. 8; pp. 1013 - 1017
• Main Authors: Goldstein, Ellie J. C., Petrak, Russell M., Sexton, Daniel J., Butera, Michael L., Tenenbaum, Marvin J., MacGregor, Mary C., Schmidt, Mary E., Joseph, W. Patrick, Kemmerly, Sandra A., Dougherty, Mark J., Bakken, Johan S., Curfman, Maria F., Martinelli, Lawrence P., Brooks Gainer, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL The University of Chicago Press 15-04-2003; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antibiotics; Bacteremia; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Practice; Communicable Diseases - diagnosis; Communicable Diseases - drug therapy; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; General aspects; Health outcomes; Hospital administration; Humans; Infection Control; Infections; Infectious diseases; Medical practice; Medical sciences; Medical specialists; Outpatients; Physicians; Sepsis - diagnosis; Sepsis - drug therapy; Specialization - economics; Infection; Professional qualification; Treatment; Check; Physician; Antibacterial agent; Occupational role; Medical specialty
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1086/374245

Infectious diseases (ID) specialists have played a major role in patient care, infection control, and antibiotic management for many years. With the rapidly changing nature of health care, it has become necessary for ID specialists to articulate their value to multiple audiences. This article summarizes the versatile attributes possessed by ID specialists and delineates their value to patients, hospitals, and other integral groups in the health care continuum.