A transplant nephrologist is a physician who oversees the care of patients who require or have received a kidney transplant. Nephrology is a branch of medicine that specializes in kidney disease and function. A transplant nephrologist is a physician who specializes in end-stage renal disease, as well as pre- and post-transplant care. Patients with kidney disease who have not yet reached end-stage renal failure may be treated transplant nephrologists.
Transplant nephrologists work closely with transplant surgeons and their medical team in hospital settings, despite having their own private medical practice with offices. Prior to and after a kidney transplant, the transplant nephrologist is in charge of coordinating patient care. They assist in the selection and acquisition of transplant recipients, as well as providing long-term follow-up care following the procedure.
This specialized branch of internal medicine requires a rigorous education comparable to that of most medical specialties, as well as highly specialized internships and fellowships. The transplant nephrologist is an expert in kidney function, physiology, and disease, as well as immunosuppressive drug therapy, side effects, and complications associated with kidney transplantation. There is a demand for transplant nephrologists due to the complex, yet common, nature of kidney failure and the medical community’s collective agreement that transplantation is the preferred treatment.
While practicing their specialty, these specialists collaborate with other medical professionals to provide the necessary care for a patient following a kidney transplant, both in the short and long term. Though success is not always guaranteed, the patient’s need for a transplant nephrologist is lifelong after a kidney transplant. Because of the nature of the job, a transplant nephrologist may face emotional and physical strain, work long hours, and be on call frequently.
Other professional opportunities for transplant nephrologists exist in addition to the demand for skilled medical doctors in this subspecialty. Some go on to become educators and researchers, while others go on to run hospital transplant programs. In terms of medical specialties, transplant nephrology is a relatively new subspecialty that has seen an increase in demand as public awareness of organ donation has grown. Many medical schools offer fellowships in transplant nephrology, and the demand for such specialists is expected to grow as the “baboomer” generation ages and the rate of diabetes — one of the leading causes of kidney failure — rises.