Current Practice Patterns and Educational Needs of Immunocompromised Infectious Diseases Physicians in Australia and New Zealand.

Abstract

Introduction: The Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) Immunocompromised Host Special Interest Group conducted a survey of the immunocompromised host (ICH) infectious diseases (IDs) workforce in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). The primary aim of the survey was to characterise the current working environments and training of ANZ ICH ID clinicians and to better understand the education and research needs.

Methods: A four-part questionnaire was developed based on a survey designed by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Study Group for Infection in Compromised Hosts. A REDCap survey link was distributed by ASID email distribution lists and local networks. The survey collected anonymous data on respondents' demographic and practice setting, pathway to current position, educational needs, and research interests.

Results: Thirty-five ID clinicians who self-identified as ICH ID clinicians completed the survey, with respondents distributed across ANZ. Respondents provide care for a wide spectrum of ICH patients, often with no specific institutional funding and concurrent clinical duties beyond ICH ID. Respondents identified limited local opportunities for dedicated ICH ID training. There was enthusiasm for more local educational opportunities and formal training.

Conclusion: Immunocompromised IDs is a relatively new subspeciality in ANZ with a growing need for ICH ID specialists given the enlarging ICH population. This survey highlights many ANZ region-specific challenges faced by ICH ID clinicians in relation to ICH ID training, service provision, and research.