Table 1.

Possible Solutions to Shortage of Applicants for Infectious Diseases Fellowship

1. Improve medical school curriculum (years 1 and 2) Increased hours of topics in infectious diseases Emphasis on antibiotic use, global impact of infectious diseases Clinical correlation with diagnostic microbiology

2. Improve infectious diseases experience among internal medicine residents Emphasis on infection control, quality improvement, antibiotic stewardship Increased research interests, support Mentoring Encourage participation in regional, institutional meetings in infectious diseases

3. State infectious diseases societies Involvement of medical students/residents: encourage presentations at meetings

4. IDSA involvement IDWeek: encourage medical resident/student participation ○ Attract global participation Global involvement ○ Increase training in tropical medicine ○ Video conferences with programs in other countries ○ Exchange programs ○ Training graduates from overseas Involvement with other medical subspecialties ○ Participation at annual meetings ○ Promote combined fellowships (eg, critical care–infectious diseases; geriatrics–infectious diseases) Improved infectious diseases physician reimbursement

Abbreviation: IDSA, Infectious Diseases Society of America.