Nephrology Conferences
Didactic clinical conferences and discussion seminars are the backbone of the Nephrology curriculum. Listed below are descriptions of the conferences and seminars that are a routine part of the Nephrology services and training of fellows, as well as the continuing education of the Nephrology faculty.
This is an informal conference series designed to provide incoming fellows with an initial overview of areas of commonly encountered nephrology problems. These are provided by nephrology faculty.
Nephrology faculty and guest lecturers present didactic material as well as scholarly material in renal, basic science, and allied fields.
This is a major clinical teaching forum in which interesting clinical cases and difficult diagnostic dilemmas are presented to the attending staff. Differential diagnoses are developed. Renal histology is presented when appropriate, and pathophysiology and therapy are discussed.
Two pathology conferences are held per month, one involving native kidney pathology and one involving transplant kidney pathology. Conducted by the nephropathologist, biopsy specimens are reviewed and discussed, along with diagnostic and therapeutic conclusions.
The renal fellows are expected to present a review of an appropriate Nephrology or scientific topic of his/her choosing. Guidance in the selection of topics and literature sources is provided by the Program Director and Nephrology faculty.
A relevant article from the current Nephrology or scientific literature is assigned to the group for critical perusal. The fellow leads an in depth review of the experimental design and scientific conclusion based on the data presented.
A working conference for evaluation of transplant candidates with extensive discussion of transplantation topics.
Transplant Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement – This monthly conference of the Maine Transplant Program reviews process and outcome metrics in a multidisciplinary fashion. Fellows on transplant rotation attend and participate.
Inpatient Dialysis Quality Assurance and Improvement – All fellows attend and participate in this monthly conference. Care metrics in inpatient dialysis are reviewed and fellows participate in associated quality improvement initiatives.
Other patient safety and quality improvement conferences – Fellows participate in a variety of ad hoc conferences pertinent to their involvement in specific patient care activities and rotations, including Root Cause Analysis meetings, Outpatient dialysis QA/QI meetings, MMP Nephrology quality team meetings, and care transitions projects. There is also the opportunity to participate on the House Staff Quality and Safety Council.
