Interventional radiology and the hospitalist: an opportunity for collaboration.

Since 1999, the number of hospitalists in the United States has grown from 1500 to 15,000. In addition to this 10-fold increase in individuals, hospitalists are also expanding their clinical reach through increased involvement in consultative and comanagement clinical care, quality improvement, and hospital administration. Interventional radiologists are likely to have more interaction with hospitalists. With a thorough understanding of each other's roles, hospitalists and interventional radiologists have an opportunity to build collaborative relationships of mutual benefit.