Highlights• The American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the world’s largest organization of kidney health professionals, has published a new report analyzing the results of the 2014 Nephrology Fellows Survey.• Authored by leading health workforce researchers at George Washington University, the report provides key insights from future kidney health professionals. • The report’s release follows the announced formation of the ASN Nephrology Match Task Force and the disappointing results of the 2015–2016 nephrology Match.

More than 20 million Americans have kidney disease, the 9th leading cause of death in the U.S.

Newswise — Washington, DC (January 8, 2015) — The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) has released an analysis of results from the 2014 Nephrology Fellows Survey. The report provides a detailed portrait of current nephrology trainees and the potentially uncertain job market they face. The study—Findings from The 2014 Survey of Nephrology Fellows—is authored by researchers from George Washington University and is available online at http://www.asn-online.org/workforce.

“This analysis highlights the challenges the kidney community faces in rekindling interest in the critical specialty of nephrology,” said ASN President Jonathan Himmelfarb, MD, FASN. “Workforce research is just one facet of ASN’s commitment to the future generation of nephrologists and the patients they will serve.”

The report is the second in a series produced in collaboration with GWU investigators Ed Salsberg, MPA, and Leah Masselink, PhD.

“This kind of survey can provide a good picture of the future supply,” said Salsberg. “The experience of new entrants into the job market can also provide a valuable snapshot of the regional and national demand.”

Among the findings:• Although more women are choosing nephrology careers, the majority of 1st and 2nd year fellows are male (61%) • Most nephrology fellows are international medical graduates (64%)• A substantial proportion of nephrology fellows looking for employment reported changing their plans because of limited practice opportunities (43%)• Nephrology fellows’ perceptions of local job opportunities (within 50 miles of their training site) were disappointing, although less so for national job opportunitiesASN is committed to improving the care for millions of patients with kidney disease. This requires a broad, multifaceted approach to increase interest in nephrology careers. To expand its wide array of programs that target students, trainees, and nephrologists at all career stages (http://asn.kdny.info/GByGf), the society recently launched the ASN Nephrology Match Task Force (chaired by ASN President-Elect Raymond C. Harris, MD, FASN) and the ASN Blue Ribbon Panel on Career Development in Nephrology (chaired by ASN President Jonathan Himmelfarb, MD, FASN).

Embargoed Report Available Upon Request—Contact ASN Content and Media Analyst Kurtis Pivert at 202.699.0238 or [email protected].

Twitter: ASN releases new GWU Analysis of the 2014 Nephrology Fellows Survey http://asn.kdny.info/GyU60 #NephWorkforce

Facebook: American Society of Nephrology Collaborates with GWU Researchers to Publish Analysis of 2014 Survey of Nephrology Fellows http://asn.kdny.info/GyU60 #NephWorkforce

Founded in 1966, and with more than 15,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.

# # #