title: [Shaare Zedek Medical Center's model of an integrated division of internal medicine].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The specialty and practice of internal medicine have been subject to serious challenges in the last two decades.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the integrative model of internal medicine as developed in our hospital, providing solutions to some major challenges.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Major components include: (1) Senior physicians and residents are employed by the Division rather than individual Departments of Medicine, allowing for balanced distribution of professional capabilities. (2) Two medical departments specialize in geriatric medicine, while the other departments take care of younger, more intellectually challenging patients. Senior and junior staff members rotate through these departments, allowing for exposure to different patient populations and professional expertise. (3) The backbone of senior physicians is rewarded by a set of incentives, including dedicated time for research. (4) Senior staff from the subspecialties contributes annually 1-2 months as senior physicians in the departments and receive academic and other compensation for their efforts. (5) In cases where medical departments elsewhere are flooded with corridor admissions (a source of frustration and burnout), a short admission unit in the emergency department relieves internal medicine pressures and shortens evaluation and therapy for many patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our integrative model of internal medicine allows for improved patient and staff distribution, greater satisfaction among patients and family members, greater professional satisfaction among physicians, while resident vacancies are filled with competent residents.
authors.forename: Amos M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Yinnon
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Munter
authors.forename: Reuven
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Friedmann
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nesher
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tichler
authors.forename: Shoshana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zevin
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000367:Age Factors; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration; D007557:Israel; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D017146:Models, Organizational; D017060:Patient Satisfaction