Απ' ό,τι βλέπω, ο όρος "hospitalist" είναι ένα μεταγενέστερο συνώνυμο του "internist", δηλαδή του "ειδικού παθολόγου", του "ειδικευόμενου στην εσωτερική παθολογία", όπως το αποδίδει το ιατρικό λεξικό Dorland's. Κοίταξε την παραπομπή παρακάτω.

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Note added at 26 mins (2011-02-25 10:37:11 GMT)
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Να και μια περιγραφή από αλλού:

Hospitalist: A hospital-based general physician. Hospitalists assume the care of hospitalized patients in the place of patients' primary care physician.

The term "hospitalist" was first introduced in 1996 by RM Wachter and L Goldman to describe physicians who devote much of their professional time and focus to the care of hospitalized patients.

In the most prevalent American model of hospitalist care, several doctors practice together as a group and work full-time caring for inpatients.

— Πηγή: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8384

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Note added at 28 mins (2011-02-25 10:38:40 GMT)
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Ιδού και περιγραφή που αιτιολογεί την απόδοση ως "ειδικευόμενου στην εσωτερική παθολογία" ή ως "ειδικού παθολόγου":

Hospitalists complete med school and usually specialize in internal medicine, family practice or pediatrics. They might be members of a medical practice, or they may cover for one or several physicians independently. They might even be former students of your physician if s/he has taught in a local medical school. Physicians looking to reduce their workload may choose to become a hospitalist and give up their regular practice.

— Πηγή: http://www.suite101.com/content/what-is-a-hospitalist--a9531