Nephrology: Leadership, Motivation and Transformational Change

“Physicians who practice nephrology are no strangers to hard work and commitment,” states Leslie Wong, MD, Vice Chair, Nephrology and Hypertension Department, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, in a recent column in the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney News Online. In his article, Dr. Wong – also Chair of the Quality, Assessment, Improvement and Education Working Group for CDC-sponsored Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety (NTDS) — reviews changes in nephrology and suggests how colleagues can stay engaged and motivated by focusing on the “emotional and aspirational elements of work.”

“Patients with kidney disease, particularly ESRD, have high rates of complexity, comorbidities and require coordinated care,” he writes. “The current transformation of healthcare requires nephrologists to broaden, not narrow their accountability for clinical outcomes and costs. Nephrologists must take the lead in reducing healthcare costs, improving patient experience, aligning interdependent care delivery systems and promoting patient safety. Can we find motivational value in being thrust into this critical role?

“We need to reflect on the reasons why we chose nephrology and what really inspires us about our work,” he adds, suggesting investigating leadership opportunities such as the NTDS initiative with its goal to “Target Zero Infections.”

Read Dr. Wong’s entire ASN column.