The role of transfusion medicine physicians. A vanishing breed?

Physicians with interest or expertise in transfusion medicine must apply their clinical consultation and laboratory management skills to be accorded support for their activities. To establish credibility, efforts must initially be directed where patient benefit and financial gain can be documented. Focusing efforts on practice improvements and sharing the results of those efforts with physician colleagues and administrators can help ensure continued support. Transfusion medicine continues to play an important role in health care, particularly in an era of managed care and reduced resources. Investment in the activities of this discipline will pay off for patients, clinicians, and hospitals.