Top Two Landscape Changes for Nephrologists in 2015

As we find ourselves on the precipice of another new year, it seems only fitting to take some time to reflect on the past year and ponder what lies ahead.

How is the landscape changing for nephrologists in 2015?

Undoubtedly, there will be new trends in treatment methodologies and shifting government regulations. More than anything, I believe time will remain one of the top concerns for nephrologists in the coming year. Slow charting and manual documentation will continue to be the cause of many late nights working to get caught up. In addition, we are now expected to meet more complicated reporting measures, which will likely continue to increase. Though the task seems daunting, and converting to electronic methodologies may be bumpy at first, once the systems are up and running, documenting encounters can become a faster, easier and more efficient endeavor.

Another noteworthy finding in the field of nephrology is the shortage of up-and-coming nephrologists. According to an analysis from the  American Society of Nephrology, interest in nephrology as a career has been on the decline for quite some time, which is quite discouraging when considering America’s aging population and the associated increased need for nephrologists. The reasons for the diminishing nephrology workforce are numerous, but one large factor is thought to be Medicare’s interest in a more integrated approach to patient care. In 2015 and going forward, nephrologists will need to be knowledgeable about so much more than kidney care. Nephrologists will need to converse more with other doctors and become experts on transition of care.

While the pressures on our profession mount with an aging population, increased regulations and declining number of physicians choosing nephrology, we need to be proactive in the way we manage our practices in the future. We will likely need to completely abandon paper documentation and choose nephrology-focused electronic tools that will help increase our efficiency, productivity and reporting capabilities. We will also need to expand our knowledge base so that we can properly care for patients. The coming year may prove to be a pivotal one in the field of nephrology; hopefully we will have the time to appreciate it.