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A Dialysis Medical Director Rotation for Nephrology Fellows: A Single Center's 10-Year Experience.
Harshil A Fichadiya1, Jing Miao1, James R Gregoire2
1Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Kidney Medicine
|September 2, 2025
Summary
A dedicated medical director rotation significantly enhances nephrology fellows' preparedness for dialysis unit leadership. This training is crucial for developing essential skills and is highly valued by fellows for their future careers.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Medical Education
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Nephrology fellows often assume dialysis unit medical director roles without formal leadership training.
- This gap in education can hinder effective management of dialysis facilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a 10-year experience with a structured medical director rotation for nephrology fellows.
- To assess the rotation's impact on fellows' understanding, preparedness, and clinical practice related to dialysis leadership.
Main Methods:
- An observational, longitudinal study design was employed.
- Fellows completed pre- and post-rotation surveys, with postgraduation follow-up.
- Quantitative and qualitative data from surveys were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Understanding of the medical director role increased from 5% to 100% post-rotation.
- Preparedness for the role improved significantly, with 81% feeling well-prepared after the rotation.
- 85% of former fellows deemed the rotation very important for fellowship training, and many assumed leadership roles.
Conclusions:
- A structured medical director rotation effectively prepares nephrology fellows for dialysis leadership.
- This rotation can serve as a valuable model for other nephrology fellowship programs.
- Formal training is essential for equipping future medical directors with necessary leadership skills.
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