Recommendations to Overcome Barriers to Transplant Fellowship Training: A Report from the American Society of Transplantation Fellows Task Force.

Abstract

With the expansion of solid organ transplantation activities in the US, there is a critical need for more transplant care providers and trainees to sustain and advance the field of transplantation. However, there has been a pending shortage of trainees pursuing transplant fellowship training in the U.S. in recent years. To address this issue, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) organized the Fellows' Task Force, including representatives of all four major organs from various AST communities of practice, to understand the drivers of this pending shortage and develop strategies to increase interest in transplant specialization. The task force identified four areas of focus, including early & sustained exposure to transplant medicine, awareness through education, flexible fellowships & pathways to transplant, and work/life resources. Based on these focus areas, the task force developed recommendations and action items, which were compiled into a report to be implemented by individuals, institutions, communities of practice (work groups), and societies such as the AST. We hope that this report will be the first step in overcoming barriers and concerns to encourage the pursuit of specialization in transplantation in the US.