by Jennifer Kowalewski

Erich C. Maul, D.O. (’99), sees the future of medicine clearly.

Gone will be the days of doctors heading to hospitals to check on patients, taking time away from their medical practice. Instead, hospitals are moving towards having in-hospital doctors, or hospitalists, to oversee care, Maul says. And although this model began in the 1990s with adult patients, he would like to see more hospitals using this method when dealing with pediatric patients.

Maul returns to his alma mater Friday, Sept. 23, to discuss “The Pediatric Hospitalists,” the fastest growing pediatric subspecialty.

“The main focus of my talk is exploring this idea,” Maul says. “The medical community is exploring this. There are lots of opportunities to do this.”

Maul is the first speaker in a series of lectures, “Taking Pride in Your Profession… Celebrating Osteopathic Medicine.”

“OU-COM students, staff and faculty are working together to promote osteopathic medicine by sponsoring a variety of visiting speakers that will provide students with the opportunity to see into the life of a physician,” says Sharon Zimmerman, director of alumni affairs.

“Throughout the year, we will be recognizing the efforts and contributions of osteopathic physicians and the osteopathic medical community as well as the crucial role each plays in supporting the mission of the American Osteopathic Association and the college,” says Zimmerman.

Hospitalist is a phrase coined in 1996. The idea of hospitalists began in Europe and Canada, where the model of socialized medicine has been more generally adopted.

In the United States, primary care physicians, or generalists, are often too busy to manage hospitalized patients and oversee medical practices. Maul sees hospitalists as the answer. Their utilization will allow generalists more time for primary care in their practices.

Hospitalists are more readily available to evaluate follow-up tests and studies. Also, hospitalists can work in shifts, allowing for different, and hopefully, fresher approaches to patient care, he says. Because of the shifts, they will have a lower risk of burnout and more time to teach medical students interested in becoming hospitalists.

They typically employ standardized care, which can lead to shorter stays in the hospital.

Doctors of osteopathic medicine are a great fit for this niche because they focus on patient-centered care, he says. Maul wants to let the medical students at OU-COM know “it might be a career choice for you.”

Maul, a major in the United States Air Force, is stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. He is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Uniformed Services University and clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at Wright State University.

“The physicians who will be speaking throughout the year, such as Dr. Maul, you will find to be strong advocates of research, health-care delivery and the promotion of cost-effective health care,” says Zimmerman.

Maul will speak in Irvine 194 at noon. Lunch will be provided by Student Government, the Pediatric Club and the Office of Alumni Affairs.