The Future of Nephrology and Public Health.

Abstract

The study of kidney diseases has been described since the Hippocratic era, but nephrology as a medical specialty dates from the mid-20th century. Despite all interesting aspects of nephrology, there is a lack of interest by young physicians for the specialty worldwide. Great discoveries have been made throughout the years, leading to great achievements in diagnosis, classification, and treatment of kidney diseases. There is a current interest in the search for novel biomarkers for early detection of kidney dysfunction, and, in the future, there will be novel diagnostic tests for kidney diseases. There have been significant improvements in dialysis and transplant techniques, and novel modalities are being studied, including new renal replacement therapy modalities, such as the wearable artificial kidney. Another trend in the contemporary world, and one that should increase in the future, is the increasing patient connectivity, using novel technologies that will allow access to healthcare and improve outcomes.