To those in the Pediatric GI community who follow this blog, particularly fellowship directors, I would urge you to have a forthright discussion about training in our field with your fellows.

After reading a recent NASPGHAN newsletter, I was concerned to find more than 110 first-year trainees (a significant increase over the last few years).  While some of these trainees have international origins and will return to their home countries, many others will be looking for job positions across the USA.  I personally think that the type of available job openings will be disappointing for many, though I recognize that “manpower” (is there a more politically correct word?) predictions have a poor track record.

My belief is that it is the ethical responsibility of each program to inform their applicants and their trainees of their potential job prospects. Ultimately, the number of pediatric gastroenterologists will adjust based on job openings and satisfaction along with other “market forces.”  Unfortunately, some in training may not be aware that their job prospects may be quite limited due to an overabundance of trainees.  Perhaps, trainees with specific niche area training such as neurogastroenterology or hepatology will have less difficulty.

The upside of the increase in trainees will be the availability of pediatric gastroenterologists to fill the spots repeatedly vacated by more senior physicians due to dissatisfaction.

My two cents…