Training in transplant infectious diseases: A survey of infectious diseases and transplant infectious diseases fellows in the United States and Canada

Abstract

Findings from this survey will inform local and national TID educational initiatives.

Tools to improve donor utilization by infectious diseases clinicians

“…Of the 15 fellows in the donor‐call study, representing different levels of training and 7 different programs, 73% expressed interest in a TID career yet 46% had seen five or fewer transplant patients at the time of the simulation 6 . This is consistent with a recent large survey of ID fellows (13 transplant, 203 general) in the United States and Canada, where TID training was rated less than ideal or adequate, due to limited frequency of dedicated didactic activities and limited exposure to transplant patient cases during training 7 . Second, this pilot study shows proof of concept for the use of donor‐call simulation as an evaluation tool—that it can identify deficiencies in the clinical reasoning used during donor evaluation, even when the “accept or decline” response is correct.…”

“…6 This is consistent with a recent large survey of ID fellows (13 transplant, 203 general) in the United States and Canada, where TID training was rated less than ideal or adequate, due to limited frequency of dedicated didactic activities and limited exposure to transplant patient cases during training. 7 Second, this pilot study shows proof of concept for the use of donor-call simulation as an evaluation tool-that it can identify deficiencies in the clinical reasoning used during donor evaluation, even when the "accept or decline" response is correct. If in one of five instances the correct decision was reached by fallacious reasoning, in other words by luck or chance, we should be evaluating fellows in this manner.…”

“…Still, given the unpredictable nature of organ procurement, opportunities to develop and exercise skills in the clinical environment can be limited and case simulation feels like an enticing of relevant articles as high yield resources. 7 Although this study was directed at ID trainees, the utility of donor call case-simulation may prove beneficial for other trainees who may participate in donor evaluation in their future careers, such as transplant surgery fellows, nephrologists, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, and others.…”

“…This project is timely in relation to a recent survey where fellows expressed desire for new educational tools to augment TID training—including case‐based interactive modules, web and mobile applications with access to guidelines, and accessible collections of relevant articles as high yield resources 7 . Although this study was directed at ID trainees, the utility of donor call case‐simulation may prove beneficial for other trainees who may participate in donor evaluation in their future careers, such as transplant surgery fellows, nephrologists, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, and others.…”

A review of transplant infectious diseases and pediatric transplant infectious diseases curriculum

“…Trainees have identified several ways to augment their TID training, such as completing additional rotations, being taught by experts, participating in more case-based learning, and using a reference guide. Then in 2018, another national survey of adult, pediatric, and transplant ID fellows was conducted to assess the educational experiences and gaps in TID training [28]. Thirty-six percentage of adult ID fellows and 54% of pediatric ID fellows noted that the amount of TID training received was less than ideal or too little.…”