The Importance of Transplant Nephrology to a Successful Kidney Transplant Program

Abstract

Nephrologists are responsible for the care of patients with a diverse array of systemic diseases, comorbidities, and kidney issues across a variety of service locations (clinic, inpatient, dialysis unit). As the field of nephrology becomes increasingly complex, there has been a need for advanced training and subspecialization, similar to the transformation cardiology experienced with heart failure, electrophysiology, and interventional cardiology. As a result, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) formed the ASN Task Force on Academic Nephrologist Compensation and Productivity to begin to understand the needed transformation, especially as it relates to assessing clinical productivity and compensation. Members of the task force included nephrology division chiefs, transplant program directors, and transplant nephrologists, representing academic and community transplant programs across the United States. The group met virtually throughout 2021 to discuss specific job functions, roles, responsibilities, and compensation models, and the discussion and conclusions follow. The flow of transplant funds from the hospital to the physician and transplant nephrology models of care are further discussed in a companion Perspective.