| [ Summary ] |
In the United States, transplantation medicine is well established and transplant physicians were primarily surgeons until 1988. Then renal transplant nephrology fellowship programs were established. Now, multidisciplinary medicine is well developed in the United States. Hence, transplant nephrologists play major roles in pre transplant evaluation as well as long term follow up of post transplant patients, while surgeons primarily deal with transplant surgeries. The title "transplant nephrologist" is necessary to improve Japanese renal transplant quality as well as deal with increased numbers of patients. In addition, we must have multidimensional chronic kidney disease management teams, where non-transplant physicians such as nephrologists and dialysis physicians, may work along with transplant physicians. This coordinated care is also important to improve renal transplantation in Japan. |