GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER RENAL FELLOWSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

The goal of the Nephrology Fellowship Training Program at UT Southwestern Medical School is to train MDs and MD/PhDs in clinical nephrology and research nephrology.  Fellows who enter this training program have completed an internal medicine residency.  The fellows participate in clinical rotations for one to two years during which they achieve proficiency in nephrology consultation, acute and chronic dialysis and renal transplantation.  This is combined with an in depth education in renal physiology and pathophysiology.

It is the goal of our program that residents completing this program should be competent nephrologists at the end of their training, able to function as a clinical nephrologist in a private hospital or in a university setting.  The program provides an opportunity to pursue advanced training in clinical nephrology and to undertake training in basic science research or clinical research.  The program is designed for trainees who wish to receive outstanding educational training in order to pursue a career in academic medicine (basic science, clinical research, or clinical education) or private practice. 

Detailed descriptions including goals and objectives are provided for each clinical rotation in the following pages.  The goals and objectives within each of these rotations are designed to meet the 6 general competencies of patient care, medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, practice based learning, and systems based practice.  These goals and objectives of the Nephrology Fellowship Training Program can be globally summarized as follows:

1. The trainee will learn the clinical skills and acquire the knowledge base required to become a comprehensive and competent nephrologist.
2. The trainee will become a compassionate and ethical nephrologist.  During the fellowship, the trainee will participate in safe, effective and compassionate patient care under supervision from the teaching staff. 
3. The trainee will participate fully in the educational activities of the program.  The trainee will also assume responsibility for teaching and supervising other residents and students who may be rotating on the various services.
4. The trainee will participate in institutional programs and activities involving the medical staff and adhere to established practices, procedures and policies of the institution. 
5. The trainee will participate in institutional committees and councils as they relate to patient care activities.  This may take the form of care plan meetings or quality assurance meetings that are part of individual rotations.
6. The trainee will learn the economic fundamentals of health care as it pertains to nephrology and learn effective management skills with regard to utilization of health resources and cost containment.  The program will encourage the development of a well-rounded and healthy self-concept that enables one to be an effective physician without neglecting personal or family needs.

Updated November 19, 2007                                                           Created by Megan Johnson