According to the 2025 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) data, 89 pediatric infectious diseases (ID) fellowship positions were offered nationwide, with nearly half going unfilled. Only 43 applicants matched, leaving 46 open positions, a gap that has persisted for the last five years.
Pediatric patients with complex infections require timely, expert care, yet the pipeline of new pediatric ID physicians continues to shrink. Programs remain unfilled, applicants are fewer, and hospitals are left competing for a limited and shrinking pool of specialists.
What This Means for Hospitals
- Coverage Gaps: Unfilled fellowship positions today become vacant staff positions tomorrow, making it harder to maintain continuous pediatric ID coverage.
- Financial Pressure: Without reliable access to pediatric ID care, hospitals face longer lengths of stay, costly transfers, and higher readmission rates.
- Operational Burden: Pediatric units, infection prevention teams, and pharmacy staff carry additional workload when ID expertise is not readily available.
How Telemedicine Bridges the Gap
Pediatric ID telemedicine by Infectious Disease Connect provides hospitals access to academic-trained specialists without the delays, recruitment costs, and overhead tied to hiring in-house. With tele-ID, hospitals can:
- Timely Access to Care: Ensure timely, high-quality care for pediatric patients with complex infections.
- Cost-Savings: Reduce unnecessary transfers and readmissions, protecting both patients and budgets.
- Optimized Resources: ID specialists work directly with your hosip
The pipeline of pediatric ID physicians is not keeping pace with hospital needs. ID telemedicine provided by ID Connect is a strategic solution trusted by children’s hospitals nationwide that ensures both quality care and financial sustainability. Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more.
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