GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY REPORT OUTLINES OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES FOR KIDNEY HEALTH WORKFORCE
Steady production of new nephrologists may outpace retiring physicians
Highlights• The American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the world’s largest organization of kidney health professionals, released the latest analysis of the US adult nephrology workforce authored by George Washington University (GWU) researchers.• GWU’s report details a mixed picture for the specialty. The job market for US medical graduates is improving, yet the inflow of new nephrologists is outpacing the rate of retirement for older physicians. GWU projects a 58% increase in the ratio of adult nephrologists per 10,000 population between now and 2030.
More than 20 million Americans have kidney diseases, the 9th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Newswise — Washington, DC (November 7, 2016) — The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) released a new analysis of the kidney health workforce that outlines a mixed picture for the specialty. Authored by researchers from the George Washington University (GWU) Health Workforce Institute, The US Adult Nephrology Workforce 2016: Developments and Trends is available online at http://www.asn-online.org/workforce.
“The research gives us a snapshot of our specialty, highlighting complex problems that nephrologists are uniquely qualified to address,” said ASN President Raymond C. Harris, MD, FASN. “This and other data collection and analysis efforts underway at ASN are critical to informing the society’s efforts to overcome these challenges and support nephrologists at every stage of their career in providing the optimum level of care for patients with kidney diseases.”
The report is the latest in a series produced in collaboration with the GWU Health Workforce Institute research team led by Edward Salsberg, MPA.
“Our third annual report on the nephrology workforce finds a mixed picture overall, with both positive and negative signs,” said Salsberg. “For example, while the job market for new nephrologists is still challenging, there were some bright spots especially for US medical school graduates (USMGs) as job prospects improved along with incomes. And a new survey of nephrologists over 55 found that most were satisfied with their specialty, practice, and income.”
In addition to surveying nephrologists 55 and older, GWU conducted the annual Nephrology Fellows Survey and examined the potential of recently introduced ESRD Seamless Care Organization (ESCO) demonstration projects to influence nephrologist demand.
Among the report’s key findings:• The job market improved slightly for USMGs, although it remains challenging for international medical graduates • The number of nephrology fellows in training has remained steady • Nephrologists 55 and over are generally satisfied with the specialty, their job, and their income• The ESCOs are an encouraging model for patients and nephrologists, and may make the specialty more fulfilling and economically rewarding. However, training programs may need to modify their curriculum to better prepare nephrologists for more comprehensive team practice in ambulatory settings• Modeling conducted in collaboration with the Sheps Center at the University of North Carolina project the number of adult nephrologists per 10,000 population will grow by 58% between 2016 and 2030
Nephrology workforce research is one part of ASN’s commitment to empower current and future members of the nephrology workforce and advance their professional goals and success. The society recently coalesced its workforce-centered programs into a new Workforce and Career Advancement Department to foster career development for all kidney health professionals. Among its portfolio are Kidney STARS, Kidney TREKS, and the ASN Foundation for Kidney Research grants programs to which ASN commits more than $3 million each year. More than 40 physician volunteers serving on the newly created Career Advancement, Diversity and Inclusion, and Workforce and Training Committees will inform the Department’s strategic initiatives.
Learn more at http://www.kidneynews.org/careers/leading-edge/building-the-nephrology-workforce.
The next report from the GWU Health Workforce Institute will provide an in-depth analysis of the 2016 Nephrology Fellows Survey. Study coauthors include Leo Quigley, MPH, Leah Masselink, PhD, Nicholas Mehfoud, MS, and Ashté Collins, MD.
The views and findings in this report reflect the work of the George Washington University Health Workforce Institute (GWU HWI), and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) or George Washington University.
Embargoed Report Available Upon Request—Contact ASN Media and Communications Manager Christine Feheley at 202-640-4638 or [email protected]. Twitter: ASN releases new GWU Analysis: The US Adult Nephrology Workforce 2016 http://asn.kdny.info/GyU60 #NephWorkforce
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Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge, and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has nearly 16,000 members representing 112 countries. For more information, please visit www.asn-online.org or contact us at (202) 640-4660.
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