There are many medical professions facing shortages; according to an 2021 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges, by 2034, there will be a shortage of 77,110 specialists. One specific profession that is included in this is Nephrology. There are difficulties in getting recruitment. A growing population of patients who need kidney care, and a large number of retiring nephrologists.
What exactly is Nephrology?
Nephrologists are specific types of doctors that specialize in kidney treatments. The kidneys may seem like a minor organ, but they are vital and serve a variety of functions. They remove excess waste and fluids from the blood, maintain your body’s electrolyte levels, and release hormones to manage your blood pressure. There are many complex kidney problems and while unspecialized doctors may be able to treat some of them, there are a lot of life threatening problems requiring a specialist. One example is kidney failure, whether chronic or acute, this can cause your kidneys to be put on life support to live, also known as dialysis.
Reasons why this profession is declining.
Medical graduates are not choosing this field anymore. Approximately 40% of global nephrologists come from the United States, which may seem like a lot, but twenty years ago, the amount was greater. Local graduates say that this field is not as easy to pursue. The NRMP Specialties Matching Service notices that there is a decline in the amount of people applying to do their residency as a nephrologist.
References:
healthline.com/health/what-is-a-nephrologist
https://www.healthgrades.com/pro/7-things-to-know-about-the-nephrologist-shortage