Part 1: As you see, there is a major new trend in American medicine-an entire new professional physician group known
as "hospitalists." Currently the American public has a very poor understanding of what a hospitalist is and what role he or
she performs in patient care. Describe the role of the hospitalist today, and discuss some trends in this new profession.

Part 2: Hospitalists are a rapidly growing new professional group in American medicine, and they are changing everything
about how medicine is practiced in the inpatient setting. But is there any evidence to suggest that hospitalists are having a
positive impact on hospital care? Report your findings.