Nephrology Training

Nephrology Workforce

2019 Nephrology Fellow Survey—Results and Insights

Produced in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the American Society of Nephrology, the report on the 2019 ASN Nephrology Fellow Survey found graduating nephrologists perceived improvements in job markets close to their training institute and an increasing majority would recommend the specialty.

A majority of respondents would recommend the nephrology specialty to medical students (80%), with an increasing proportion overall since survey inception. Fellows have also perceived an improving job market locally and nationally.

"For the first time in the survey's history we are able to capture more granular compensation data," Dr. Sozio. "The median base starting salary reported by respondents who accepted a job was $190,000 before incentives, yet there are gender imbalances that need further investigation." Women respondents who had accepted a positions reported median base salaries before incentives of $175,000 compared with $200,000 for their male colleagues.

Dr. Sozio pointed to signs of initial successes for ASN initiatives to increase nephology interest, with 32% of respondents having participated in at least one ASN program (for example, ASN Kidney TREKS or ASN Kidney STARS).

• 2019 Nephrology Fellow Survey—Results and Insights
• Report Highlights—2019 Nephrology Fellow Survey

ASN Data Brief: Nephrology Match AY 2019—Preliminary Results

Brief analysis of preliminary National Resident Matching Program AY 2019 Nephrology Match results released on Match Day, November 28, 2018.

• ASN Data Brief: Nephrology Match AY 2019—Preliminary Results

Report on the Survey of 2018 Nephrology Fellows

The Report on the Survey of 2018 Nephrology Fellows found an overall trend for a steadily improving job market and increasing salaries.

"Among nephrology fellows who had searched for a job, perceptions of local nephrology job opportunities maintained the improvement of recent years for both US medical graduates (USMGs) and international medical graduate (IMGs)," said GW-HWI principal investigator Edward Salsberg, MPA. "Fellows' anticipated salaries in 2018 were higher than in previous years; the median anticipated salary range for all demographic groups (by educational status and sex) was $180,000-$189,999—excepting male IMGs reporting a median of $190,000-$199,999—and the mean anticipated salary was $198,000, up from $187,000 in 2017."

• Report on the Survey of 2018 Nephrology Fellows
• Report on the Survey of 2018 Nephrology Fellows (Report Highlights)

Early Career Nephrologists: Results of a 2017 Survey

The Early Career Nephrologists: Results of a 2017 Survey found practice setting is a key influencing factor for income and job satisfaction among nephrologists entering practice.

"The survey revealed significant differences between nephrologists working in group practices compared to those in academic positions," said GW-HWI principal investigator Edward Salsberg, MPA. "After reviewing other factors—including gender, location/type of education (US medical graduate [USMG] vs. international medical graduate [IMG]), and length of time since graduation—practice setting is a major factor influencing educational pathways, current practice characteristics, and satisfaction."

• Early Career Nephrologists: Results of a 2017 Survey

ASN Data Brief: Nephrology Match AY 2018—Preliminary Results

This ASN Data Brief details preliminary results from the National Resident Matching Program on the AY 2018 Nephrology Match released December 6, 2017.

• ASN Data Brief: Nephrology Match AY 2018—Preliminary Results

Report on the Survey of 2017 Nephrology Fellows

The new Report on the Survey of 2017 Nephrology Fellows details a stronger job market for recent nephrology fellowship graduates. Produced in collaboration with researchers from the George Washington University Health Workforce Institute (GW-HWI), the report evaluates leading employment indicators, characteristics of nephrology fellows in training, and future practice plans for the next generation of kidney health specialists.

"The job opportunities for new nephrologists have definitely improved over the past 4 years. This is good news for the current fellows and for residents considering the specialty," said Edward Salsberg, MPA, lead GW-HWI researcher.

"However, the 2017 survey also affirms the importance of lifestyle concerns for the fellows completing training, both in terms of nephrology training and post training practice," added Salsberg. "The long-term attractiveness of the specialty may depend on addressing these concerns."

• Report on the Survey of 2017 Nephrology Fellows
• Report on the Survey of 2017 Nephrology Fellows (Report Highlights)

Report on the 2016 Survey of Nephrology Fellows

The Report on the 2016 Survey of Nephrology Fellows details leading job market indicators and current fellow demographics and perceptions of the specialty. Produced in collaboration with George Washington University (GW) investigators led by Edward Salsberg, MPA, and Principal Investigator Leah Masselink, PhD, the third annual Nephrology Fellows Survey is part of ASN's ongoing workforce research.

"Our third report on the annual nephrology fellow survey 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."

• Report on the 2016 Survey of Nephrology Fellows

ASN Data Brief: Nephrology Match AY 2017—Preliminary Results

This ASN Data Brief details preliminary results from the National Resident Matching Program on the AY 2017 Nephrology Match released December 7, 2016.

• ASN Data Brief: Nephrology Match AY 2017—Preliminary Results

The US Adult Nephrology Workforce 2016: Developments and Trends

The latest ASN nephrology workforce report, produced in collaboration with researchers from the George Washington University (GWU) Health Workforce Institute, evaluates the specialty across the continuum of supply-from trainee to retiree. The US Adult Nephrology Workforce 2016: Developments and Trends assesses the job market for recent graduates; characteristics of nephrology fellows in training; practice and retirement plans for nephrologists ≥55 years; potential demand implications of the new ESRD Seamless Care Organization (ESCO) demonstration projects; and nephrologist supply projections to 2030.

"Our third annual report on the nephrology workforce finds a mixed picture overall, with both positive and negative signs," said Edward Salsberg, MPA, lead researcher from the George Washington University (GWU) Health Workforce Institute. "Nephrology continues to face some real challenges, including the continued poor performance in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Match for 2016/17 and a tight job market for new graduates, leading to uncertainty as to whether the nation is training more nephrologists than the delivery system can easily absorb."

"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," added Salsberg, noting "job opportunities for international medical graduates (IMGs) continued to be very limited."

"One encouraging development for nephrologists appears to be the ESRD Seamless Care Organization (ESCO) demonstration projects. This approach to financing and organizing services for ESRD patients offers the possibility of improving the care of patients and the satisfaction of nephrologists, including through the development of more comprehensive teams, and could make the specialty more attractive to new physicians."

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 US Adult Nephrology Workforce 2016: Developments and Trends
• The US Adult Nephrology Workforce 2016: Developments and Trends (Report Highlights)

2015 ASN Nephrology Fellows Survey Report

This analysis of the second annual ASN Nephrology Fellows Survey details demographics of current fellows and their perceptions of the job market and the specialty. The Report on the 2015 Survey of Nephrology Fellows is produced in collaboration with leading health workforce researchers from George Washington University (GWU) led by Edward Salsberg, MPA, and Principal Investigator Leah Masselink, PhD.

"The overall job market picture for nephrology fellows remained mixed in 2015. Most fellows saw the nationwide job market as stronger than their local job markets, and IMG fellows seemed to have an especially difficult time finding satisfactory positions," said Masselink. "But despite these challenges, we also found that most fellows-IMGs and USMGs-were glad they chose to be nephrologists because of the variety and intellectual challenge the specialty offers."

Workforce research is one aspect of ASN's effort to increase interest in nephrology careers and to ensure patients burdened by kidney diseases continue to receive the specialized care only a nephrologist can provide.

• Report on the 2015 Survey of Nephrology Fellows

ASN Analysis of the 2016 Nephrology Match

ASN provides a brief analysis of the NRMP SMS Nephrology Match for Appointment Year 2016 released on December 2, 2015.

• NRMP SMS Nephrology Match for Appointment Year 2016-2017—ASN Brief Analysis

The US Nephrology Workforce 2015: Developments and Trends

The latest ASN nephrology workforce report examines key factors influencing the specialty. Authored by researchers from the George Washington University (GWU) Health Workforce Institute, The US Nephrology Workforce 2015: Developments and Trends evaluates the geographic maldistribution of nephrologists across the US, analyzes viewpoints of current clinical practitioners and representatives of the large dialysis organizations, and assesses fellows' perceptions of the current job market and the specialty.

"Our review of recent developments and data, including from our survey of fellows, indicates that nephrology continues to be in transition," said Mr. Salsberg. "While indications are that need for nephrologists is rising, it is not clear how changes in delivery and financing will impact on the specialty. Further, while the job market for new nephrologists is limited, the number entering the specialty is decreasing which may lead to more opportunities in the future. It will be important to continue to monitor developments impacting on the specialty."

Nephrology workforce research is one aspect of ASN's effort to increase interest in nephrology careers and to ensure patients burdened by kidney disease continue to receive the vital specialized care they need.

• The US Nephrology Workforce 2015: Developments and Trends
• The US Nephrology Workforce 2015: Developments and Trends (Brief Summary)

ASN Nephrology Fellow Survey Report

The second ASN nephrology workforce report focuses on the next generation of nephrologists. Findings from the 2014 Survey of Nephrology Fellows provides a detailed portrait of current fellows and their perceptions of the job market and the specialty of nephrology.

This analysis of data from the 2014 Nephrology Fellows Survey is the latest work from ASN's collaboration with leading health workforce researchers from George Washington University led by Edward Salsberg, MPA, and Principal Investigator Leah Masselink, PhD.

"This kind of survey can provide a good picture of the future supply," said Mr. Salsberg. "The experience of new entrants into the job market can also provide a valuable snapshot of the regional and national demand."

Nephrology workforce research is one aspect of ASN's effort to increase interest in nephrology careers and to ensure patients burdened by kidney disease will continue receive vital specialized care. Future studies will examine the effects of changes in patient care delivery systems and geographical distribution of nephrologists in the United States.

• Findings from the 2014 Survey of Nephrology Fellows

ASN Nephrology Workforce Analysis

ASN is committed to current and future generations of nephrologists. The ASN Council, Workforce Committee, and Task Force on Increasing Interest in Nephrology Careers have generated a list of more than 80 initiatives to increase interest in nephrology careers. Among these initiatives were a study of the nephrology workforce and an analysis of the current job market, especially for nephrologists who recently completed fellowship.

ASN collaborated with leading workforce investigators from George Washington University to conduct this research, including Ed Salsberg, MPA—a pioneer in the field of health care workforce research and formerly of Center for Health Workforce Studies, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Health Resources and Services Administration—and Principal Investigator Leah Masselink, PhD.

"This study and others planned for the coming years, are intended to provide data and information to help guide the nephrology community through this period of transformation in both the kidney care and the health care delivery system," said Mr. Salsberg. "Assuring an adequate supply and distribution requires data and information. Only through these types of studies and ongoing monitoring of the workforce will the nephrology community be able to develop programs and policies to better assure access to high quality kidney care for all Americans."

The initial report, The US Nephrology Workforce: Developments and Trends, was released on Monday, November 3, 2014. The second report, to be released in December 2014, will focus on nephrology fellows and trainees. Additional analyses of the nephrology workforce are planned for the future, and will be available in this section.

• The US Nephrology Workforce: Developments and Trends (Full Report)
• The US Nephrology Workforce: Developments and Trends (Brief Summary)

ASN Analysis of the 2015 Nephrology Match

ASN provides a brief analysis of the NRMP SMS Nephrology Match for Appointment Year 2015 released on December 3, 2014.

• ASN Council Addresses 2015 Nephrology Match and Announces Nephrology Match Task Force
• The 2015 NRMP SMS Nephrology Match—ASN Brief Analysis

Additional Resources

• Analyzing all aspects of the nephrology workforce
• Helping students and residents experience Kidney Week through Kidney STARS
• Engaging students in kidney physiology through Kidney TREKS
• Launching Kidney MAPS to allow trainees to participate in local screening programs
• Stimulating innovations in nephrology education
• Defending federal funding for medical education
• Expanding diversity and inclusion programs for kidney professionals
• Building the profession through career and professional development