Abstract
We analyzed the questionnaires from 84 Japanese pediatric nephrologists to clarify the issues in the training of pediatric nephrologists and postgraduate education for them in Japan. Over 90% of them believed that specialized knowledges and skills for renal diagnosis and treatment in children are essential. 80% of them appreciated the training programs they received in Japan. However, 79.4% of them have a claim for establishing and distributing the training hospitals with pediatric nephrology unit throughout Japan, 71.8% for accrediting the board of pediatric nephrologists, and 95% for promoting the postgraduate educationprograms. Established pediatric nephrology units offer a full range of renal diagnostic facilities and facilities for treatment of acute and chronic renal failure in children. They are also provided with pediatric urologist, pediatric surgeon, transplant surgeon, pathologist and psychologist to consult and collaborate with the majority of other pediatric disciplines. We find it necessary that the Japanese pediatric nephrology association will have recommended training programs for Japanese pediatric nephrologists and set out postgraduate education programs for them in the near future.
