Who you gonna call? Understanding the shortages of the pediatric subspecialty workforce

Authors

Margaret Nguyen, Division of Neonatology and Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Suma Bhat Hoffman, Division of Neonatology, Children's National Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Alan Chin, Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Deborah Lehman, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Josephine M. Enciso, Division of Neonatology and Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: jenciso@mednet.ucla.edu.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

12-3-2025

Journal

Seminars in perinatology

DOI

10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152189

Abstract

Pediatric residency and pediatric subspecialty fellowship programs have seen reduced growth in the number of applicants relative to the increased number of positions over the last 6 years. There are concerns this will lead to a future pediatrician workforce unable to meet the needs of an expanding population of children with highly complex medical conditions. This review will describe the current landscape of the pediatric subspecialty workforce, the factors contributing to pediatric subspecialty applicant shortages, and the potential impacts of these shortfalls on the future of pediatric complex care. Strategies are described to address the insufficient numbers of pediatric subspecialty applicants. Future research is needed to better delineate etiologies and address gaps in the pediatric workforce thus ensuring favorable health outcomes for children.

APA Citation

Nguyen, Margaret; Hoffman, Suma Bhat; Chin, Alan; Lehman, Deborah; and Enciso, Josephine M., "Who you gonna call? Understanding the shortages of the pediatric subspecialty workforce" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 8446.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/8446

Department

Pediatrics