Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-OR100

Nephrology Business Leadership University: Filling a Gap in Fellowship Education

Session Information

• Shaping the Future of Nephrology Education
  October 26, 2018 | Location: 6F, San Diego Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 05:30 PM - 05:42 PM

Category: Educational Research

• 800 Educational Research

Authors

• Miracle, Cynthia, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States

Cynthia Miracle, MD



Dr. Miracle is the Training Program Director at UC San Diego Division of Nephrology & Hypertension. She completed her Medical School training at New York Medical College and Internal Medicine Residency training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. She is currently involved at all levels of medical training including medical school, residency and fellowship.

• Rodriguez Vargas, Emmanuel, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States

Emmanuel Rodriguez Vargas,

• Nangia, Samir, Dallas Renal Group, P.A., Allen, Texas, United States

Samir Nangia,

• Makadia, Parin M., Dallas Renal Group, P.A., Allen, Texas, United States

Parin M. Makadia,

• Mullaney, Scott, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States

Scott Mullaney,

Background

Historically, fellowship training programs have not focused on the knowledge and skills fellows need to successfully transition from training to practice. Concurrently there is dissatisfaction with nephrology as a career choice and interest in nephrology has declined. As a specialty we have focused on attracting trainees into nephrology but not on ensuring fellows have the skills to navigate their career post fellowship. To address this need we developed a weeklong conference, Nephrology Business Leadership University (NBLU), in partnership with practicing nephrologists and industry experts. Our goal was to provide fellows with education in the business aspects of nephrology not taught in traditional nephrology training programs.

Methods

During NBLU fellows attended workshops on topics ranging from the job search to growing a practice to retirement planning. Fellows also participated in sessions on leadership roles in nephrology. Pre- and post-course surveys, interactive feedback sessions, and exit interviews were used to assess the program. A Pre/Post Knowledge Level Survey (5-point Likert Scale) assessed improvements in knowledge level in 24 different content domains. Scores were compared using a paired two sample means t-test. Follow up surveys will be sent at the end of the academic year to assess implementation of this knowledge into the attendees job search.

Results

31 fellows attended NBLU, representing 22 programs in 15 different states. The pre-survey confirmed that the areas covered in NBLU were absent in traditional training; only 2 out of 30 respondents stated “yes” to having previous instruction in any business aspects of medicine. The Knowledge Survey demonstrated statistically significant increases in knowledge in all 24 areas. Median knowledge level in the 24 areas was 1.72 prior to and 4.11 post course (p<0.05) .100% of surveyed fellows would recommend NBLU.

Conclusion

Education on the business aspects of nephrology is lacking in traditional fellowship training. NBLU is an innovative and effective program for educating fellows on areas they will need when they transition into practice. Fellows were satisfied with their experience and would recommend the program to others. Results of follow up will further assess if learned skills were useful during their job search and in the early days of practice.

Funding

• Commercial Support – US Renal Care