ASN signs agreement with Home Dialysis University to fund more training for fellows
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Key takeaways:
- The American Society of Nephrology will provide scholarships to fellows for training in home dialysis.
- ASN is also launching a new 12-month virtual educational program on home dialysis.
The American Society of Nephrology will provide scholarships to selected fellows for training in home dialysis as part of a partnership with the education group Home Dialysis University, according to a press release.
ASN said in the release that it is covering the cost of the scholarships “in an effort to improve nephrology trainees’ knowledge, proficiency and exposure to home dialysis therapies. Through this new collaboration, ASN will provide up to 30 scholarships for selected fellows to attend both an in-person [Home Dialysis University] HDU fellows training course and, in partnership with HDU, ASN will launch a new 12-month virtual educational program.”
Home dialysis has been associated with lower cost and equal or better clinical outcomes than facility-based dialysis, ASN said in the release.
“Educating future nephrologists about home dialysis is foundational to ensuring all kidney failure patients have access to dialysis options that best fit their lives and needs,” Michelle Josephson, MD, FASN, ASN president, said. “These are exciting times as ASN demonstrates its commitment to that effort by improving access to high-quality home dialysis education for nephrology trainees. This collaboration between HDU and ASN represents a key initial step in that commitment.”
In July 2021, ASN formed a home dialysis steering committee to identify and prioritize gaps in training, education and advocacy in home dialysis, according to the release. “Based on recommendations from the steering committee, and in alignment with priorities identified by the ASN Task Force on the Future of Nephrology, ASN recently entered into a cooperative agreement with the [CDC] to establish a pilot home dialysis course for nephrology fellows that offers training from respected leaders in home dialysis, followed by a 12-month virtual education program,” ASN said in the release.
Nephrology trainees have long cited a lack of education and exposure to home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis during training as a major educational gap, according to the release. The ASN Task Force on the Future of Nephrology recommends providing additional education to “close currently identified gaps in nephrology training, establishing individualized pathways to provide opportunities for fellows to explore advanced specialized care and other career goals in more depth, and prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as promoting health care justice in all aspects of nephrology, especially fellowship training,” ASN said in the release.
“The faculty of HDU, all recognized as experts in home dialysis therapies, are passionate about educating physicians,” Joel Glickman, MD, activity director for HDU, said in the release. “Our primary goal, to have all nephrology fellows attend HDU, may become a reality because of our new collaboration with ASN.”
HDU has been educating nephrology fellows and nephrologists since 1998.
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