Who Is Really in Charge Here? A Guide to Navigating a Hospital Stay

Ever wondered who's really coordinating your care when you or a loved one are admitted to the hospital? Join Dr. Eve Glazier as she speaks with her friend and colleague, Dr. Ashley Busuttil, a hospitalist at UCLA Health and Chief Medical Officer of Ronald Reagan Medical Center, to explain the critical role of a hospitalist.
Think of a hospitalist like your on-field quarterback, says Dr. Busutill as she walks us through the entire patient journey describing her role at every step of the way. From the ER to discharge, her job is to ensure that members of a patient's care team—including nurses, doctors, resident trainees, case managers, and social workers–remain on the same page, consistently executing care plans to get patients treated and home safely.
Dr. Busuttil dives into the importance of communication and how she strives to empower patients to become partners in their own care. In this episode of Medically Speaking, you will also learn practical tips to make one of life's most stressful experiences more manageable, like what information to bring to an ER visit, how to effectively ask questions, and what to expect at discharge.
Whether you're facing a hospital stay, supporting a loved one, or just want to understand how modern healthcare works, this conversation is for you.
Podcast Credits for UCLA Health Medically Speaking with Dr. Eve Glazier:
• Host: Dr. Eve Glazier
• Executive Producers: Annie Krasnow, Michael Burke, Suzanne Koudsi Walker
• Producers: Niki Miller, Jessica Alabastro
• Creative Producer: Kanza Shaheen
• Associate Producer: Jennifer Feld
• Technical Directors: Adrian Cardoso, Andrew Stocks
• Editor: Tony Sweet
• Recorded at: Canella Media
Special thanks to our expert guests and the incredible staff across UCLA Health who make this podcast possible. A special thank you to Johnese Spisso, President of UCLA Health and CEO of the UCLA Hospital System, for her visionary leadership and support. We are also grateful to the patients and families whose stories inspire our work every day.
Produced by: UCLA Health Communications & Marketing
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.