Abstract: SA-PO004
Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program Is an Effective Model to Expand the Recruitment Pipeline by Capturing Undergraduates for Nephrology
Session Information
- Educational Research
November 09, 2019 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Educational Research
- 800 Educational Research
Authors
- Song, Rui, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States
- Chen, Rebecca Pearl, University of California, Los Angeles, San Diego, California, United States
- Zhuo, Min, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Bellou, Sirine, Brigham & Women''s Hospital, Brookline, Massachusetts, United States
- Cho, Andrew, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Li, Jiahua, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States
- Hsiao, Li-Li, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Group or Team Name
- Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP) Clinical Research Team
Background
Physician shortage in nephrology is causing an impending workforce crisis. The Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP) is a national student-led organization targeting college students via community health screening and mentorship. This longitudinal study aims to assess the impact of KDSAP on career choice of its alumni in nephrology.
Methods
KDSAP alumni were defined as college graduates from 2009 to April 2019, who have attended at least one KDSAP health screening or KDSAP academic event. There are 173 alumni who met the criteria and with valid contact information. An online survey evaluating demographics, career choice impact, perspectives on nephrology was sent by email. To gain in-depth knowledge of KDSAP’s impact, one-on-one interviews were conducted with those who are currently practicing medicine; and focus group discussions were conducted with medical students and health-related graduate students. This study was conducted via a mixed-method study approach.
Results
Our study enrolled 112 alumni who completed the survey. Among them, 75 (67%) reported “very” or “extremely” invested in KDSAP activities. The community screening is the most meaningful (97%) and influential (69%) to their career choices. Out of 112 respondents, 94 (84%) are in the field of medicine in various stages, including 3 nephrologists. While 40 (36%) consider doing kidney-related research or patient care, impressively 8 (24%) of those attending medical school (n=34) consider Nephrology as their career choice. Our results also revealed favorable perceptions of Nephrology among KDSAP alumni: Nephrology is exciting compared to other specialties (79%), Nephrologists are important to community health (97%), Nephrology is a well-respected practice (91%), Nephrology is a rewarding field for a career option (88%) and considering a kidney-related profession for the further career (31%). Qualitative analysis (n=8) revealed four main categories in the impact of KDSAP on alumni: career choice, mentorship, career development, and community health services.
Conclusion
In fighting the Nephrology workforce crisis, KDSAP is an effective model to expand the recruitment pipeline by capturing undergraduates entering the field of Nephrology.
Funding
- Other NIH Support