Nephrology Workforce

In this special issue of The Open Urology & Nephrology Journal, we focus on the nephrology workforce. The number of applications to nephrology training positions across the United States has decreased in the last 10 years. This has placed an increased burden on practicing nephrologists and raised concerns about the future of kidney care in America. We asked innovative and original thinkers about their perspectives regarding the reasons behind the declining interest in nephrology careers. Thus far, many US-based nephrology educators have weighed in on this topic, but the voices from the global nephrology community have not been fully heard. We assembled a unique set of authors from who did not belong to America, to share their point of view and suggestions about this problem. From Canada, Drs. Brown and Hiremath framed a workforce discussion through a debate and develop solutions that can be readily implemented. Dr. Paul Phelan put forward his fresh perspective as a US-trained, UK-practicing nephrologist to the conversation; shedding light on how and why international medical graduates choose nephrology and what can be done to raise their interest levels again. Finally, Drs. Huilgol and Jamale contribute an under-represented set of views from India; a nation where interest in a career in nephrology remains high. Both authors have independently focused on the potential role of procedures in nephrology; a feature of nephrology training that has helped attract residents into nephrology in India.

Perhaps the declining interest in nephrology is a unique American problem. Nonetheless, solutions from the global community of nephrology educators can prove valuable. We thank the authors for their critical assessments of an innovative solution for the challenge of strengthening the US nephrology workforce. Together we can generate an interest in US nephrology careers once again.