Training nephrologists from developing countries: does it have a positive impact?

In the past 25 years the International Society of Nephrology has sponsored 545 physicians from 83 developing countries to undertake nephrology training in renal units in the developed world. Data collected biennially from past fellows have demonstrated a very positive impact of the program on individual trainees and their home institutions. Many of the trainees have gone on to leadership positions in their home institutions, countries, and regions. Increasingly, fellowships are undertaken in selected developed centers within the fellow's own region, which increases the relevance and utility of the training to the fellow and the fellow's home institution, and lessens the risk of ‘brain drain'.