Early career trainee perspective on choosing Nephrology as a career

What is it about?

This perspective piece highlights the declining interest of students, residents and other early medical trainees in choosing Nephrology as their career. The perspective offers an insight into why there is a decline and what initiatives are being taken to counteract this decline. The author has elaborated on the STARS program offered by ASN and the importance of mentorship to enhance interest of students and trainees.

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Why is it important?

Nephrology has been recently described as an "aging field"- there are more patients with renal morbidities, with less specialists to take care of them. The complex pathophysiology, long working hours of fellows and lack of procedures hinders the interest of residents in choosing Nephrology as a sub-speciality. It is crucial to enhance interest in Nephrology, and interventions should be started as early as medical school. Increasing exposure to the field through programs such as STARS and encouraging faculty to take upon mentorship roles will significantly help nurture the interest of many early career trainees.

Perspectives