[Trends in resident positions offered in nephrology (1985-2008)]

This article reviews the trends in positions of internal medicine resident (IMR) assigned to nephrology in Spain from 1985 to 2008. We analyse the number of positions, the changes of average points received (435 to 377), and the average position for nephrology (253 to 3457). We also observed the distribution by sex for the candidates (from 42% to 72% feminisation) over the 24 years examined. Nephrology is positioned 29th of the 47 specialities offered on Spanish IMR training programmes. These data should be an indication to all nephrologists that change is needed. We must examine which factors are involved in the lessening interest in Nephrology as a career among medical graduates and then strive to resolve the problems.