Interest in nephrology as a career among United States medical graduates (USMGs) is declining—and has been on the decline for the better part of a decade. From 2002 to 2009, all internal medicine subspecialties increased the number of available positions, with the exception of geriatric medicine (which shrank overall) (1, 2). Yet, in 2009, nephrology was the only internal medicine specialty to attract fewer USMGs than in 2002, the result of a steady seven-year decrease in the number of USMGs entering the renal field (Figure 2.1). During that time, the number of USMGs in nephrology fellowships dropped from 401 to 365, even though the total number of nephrology fellows increased 28.1 percent, from 711 to 911 (Figure 2.2). Residency training in internal medicine, the entry point for nephrology, is increasingly unappealing to medical students in the United States. Between 2002 and 2009, the number of USMGs in internal medicine residency positions dropped from 11,807 to 10,855, even though the total number of positions increased during this time.
Increase/decrease of USMGs 2002–2009)
Citation: Kidney News 3, 5
USMGs entering nephrology vs. number of available nephrology positions
Citation: Kidney News 3, 5
Brotherton SE, Etzel SI. JAMA 2010; 304:1255–1270Brotherton SE, Rockney PH, Etzel SI. JAMA 2003; 290:1197–1202Of all internal medicine specialties, nephrology and geriatric medicine are now the least competitive. Correspondingly, in a recent survey of third- and fourth-year students from five medical schools, more than three in four respondents conveyed that renal pathophysiology courses were too complex, lacked relevance, or simply failed to stimulate interest (Figure 2.3).
Student comments on renal pathophysiology courses
Citation: Kidney News 3, 5
The field of nephrology has benefitted substantially from the contributions of international medical graduates (IMGs) who enter fellowship programs in this country. Since 2002, nephrology fellowship training program directors have increasingly depended on IMGs to fill fellowship positions. In 2009, 497 nephrology fellows were IMGs, up from 271 in 2002. Because 40 percent of its physicians are IMGs, compared with an estimated 25 percent of all physicians in the United States, nephrology is more dependent on IMGs than any other specialty except geriatric medicine. So, if highly qualified IMGs are still interested in nephrology, then why is declining interest among USMGs a matter of concern?
Owing to new and more stringent legal barriers to immigration, the future of IMGs in the United States is increasingly uncertain. From 1996 to 2008, the number of IMGs obtaining J-1 visas declined from 11,471 to 6561 (3). Visa requirements and application processes for IMGs became more arduous after September 11, 2001. Meanwhile, the economy in this country increasingly necessitates a two-income household, meaning that most spouses of IMGs must also secure work visas.
As countries such as China and India create greater opportunities in medicine, more IMGs may remain in their countries of origin or return after they complete graduate medical education in this country. Perhaps as a sign of future trends, the number of graduates of Canadian medical schools training in residency and fellowship programs in the United States dropped from 418 in 2002 to 273 in 2009.
A closer look at the USMG nephrology numbers continues to reveal a grim picture. Although the number of female nephrology fellows rose from 229 in 2002 to 333 in 2009, this growth represented the lowest proportional increase for any internal medicine specialty except geriatric medicine (Figure 2.4). During that time, all other internal medicine specialties saw, on average, a 67.8 percent increase in female fellows (ranging from 54.8 percent to 86.7 percent). Nephrology attracted significantly fewer, with just 45.4 percent more female fellows in 2009 than in 2002.
Increase/decrease of female fellows (2002–2009)
Citation: Kidney News 3, 5
Even though the total number of geriatric medicine fellows decreased, women made up a greater percentage of geriatric medicine trainees in 2009 than in 2002. Compared with other fields of internal medicine, nephrology is not keeping pace in terms of gender diversity.
The total number of Hispanic nephrology fellows increased from 28 in 2002 to 59 in 2009, and the number of African American nephrology fellows increased from 29 to 45 during the same period. Yet, despite these increases, nephrology still trails most specialties in terms of attracting Hispanics or African Americans.
As the need for internal medicine trainees grows and the number of IMGs continues to taper, nephrology training programs will need more USMGs to compete for training positions. It is imperative to stimulate USMG interest—particularly among women and minorities—in nephrology as soon as possible.
References
- 1.↑
Brotherton SE, Rockney PH, Etzel SI. Graduate medical education, 2002–2003. JAMA 2003; 290:1197–1202.
- 3.↑
American Medical Association IMG Governing Council. International Medical Graduates in American Medicine: C
ontemporary Challenges and Opportunities. Washington, D.C.: American Medical Association, 2010.
