Current Trends and Challenges in Nephrology Fellowship Training: Expansion of Education in Home Dialysis, Palliative Care, and Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Nephrology education has changed significantly since the first nephrology fellowship programs were established in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. The past several years have seen increased opportunities for subspecialization in areas such as interventional nephrology, onconephrology, and glomerular disease. Notable trends in fellowship curricula include the expan-sion of education in home dialysis and palliative care, driven by policy changes and focus on patient-centered care. In addition, point-of-care ultrasound has garnered significant interest due to its potential to provide diagnostic information that improves patient care. An important area that remains largely unaddressed appears to be education about the business and administra-tive aspects of nephrology. Meanwhile, the importance of training in hemodialysis catheter placement and kidney biopsy has come into question due to the small proportion of nephrologists performing these procedures today. Nephrology fellowship programs should strive to tailor their curriculum to meet the interests and needs of individual fellows.Q 2022 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Nephrology education has undergone significant changes, with increased opportunities for specialization and expanded education in areas such as interventional nephrology, onconephrology, and glomerular disease. There is a need for more focus on education about the business and administrative aspects of nephrology.