TABLE 2.

Definitions

Terms	Definitions
Credentialing	The process outlined by an institution that a hospitalist follows to substantiate their own competence and worthiness of appointment to a hospital’s medical staff or being granted a specific privilege. This is primarily done by accruing external certifications or other credentials that attest to successful completion of education, training, and experience. Internal certificates of competence may be needed if valid external options are not available or pursued.
Privileging	The process carried out by an institution, typically a hospital committee but not a hospitalist director, granting a specific privilege or allowing a hospitalist to practice within a defined scope of practice. This process usually includes verification of experience and deliberation over past performance. An “initial” privilege is granted to a hospitalist who has not actively held that privilege, usually because he or she just completed residency or fellowship training, or because a previous privilege is no longer active. An “ongoing” privilege is granted to maintain an active privilege.
Competency	An observable ability of a provider, integrating multiple components, such as cognitive and psychomotor skills. Since competencies are observable, they can be measured and assessed to ensure their acquisition.
Certification	An attestation of a hospitalist’s basic competence within a defined scope of practice. A single certifying institution (typically a hospital) grants an internal certification for performance solely within that institution. In contrast, a national certifying institution (typically a specialty board or society) grants an external certification that may be embraced and endorsed across multiple institutions. When unspecified, “certification” usually denotes external certification. An entrustment is a specific kind of certification that occurs in the context of a training program. It applies when a supervisor attests to the basic competence of a trainee. When formally acknowledged, an entrustment may lead to the awarding of a certificate.