The Infectious Diseases Specialist, At Risk of Extinction

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health Workforce

Background:

• The Infectious Diseases (ID) fellowship match has shown concerning trends over the past decade.
• Despite unprecedented demand for ID expertise, particularly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, physician interest in the specialty appears to be waning.
• A modest, pandemic-related increase in fellowship applicants was not sustained, as evidenced by disappointing 2023 match results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical state of the Infectious Diseases (ID) fellowship match.
• To underscore the urgent need for solutions to bolster the ID workforce.
• To emphasize the implications of workforce shortages for national public health.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Infectious Diseases (ID) fellowship match data over the past decade.
• Review of factors contributing to low interest in the ID specialty.
• Assessment of the impact of these trends on public health.

Main Results:

• Fellowship match results over the last ten years indicate a precarious future for the Infectious Diseases (ID) specialty.
• While the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily boosted applicant numbers, this trend proved short-lived, with 2023 match results being particularly disappointing.
• Low compensation relative to other medical specialties is identified as a significant factor contributing to diminished interest in ID.

Conclusions:

• The declining interest in Infectious Diseases (ID) fellowships poses a significant threat to the specialty and national public health.
• Urgent development and implementation of strategies are required to increase the number of ID physicians.
• Addressing factors such as low salaries is critical to ensuring a robust future ID workforce capable of meeting public health needs.