Research Highlights Challenges Faced by Immunocompromised Infectious Diseases Clinicians in Australia and New Zealand

Strategic Insights -

A survey conducted by the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) Immunocompromised Host Special Interest Group has shed light on the working environments and training of immunocompromised host (ICH) infectious diseases (IDs) clinicians in Australia and New Zealand. The survey aimed to characterise the current working environments and training of ANZ ICH ID clinicians, and to better understand the education and research needs. The study found that ICH ID clinicians in the region face many challenges, including limited local opportunities for dedicated ICH ID training, concurrent clinical duties beyond ICH ID, and a growing need for ICH ID specialists given the enlarging ICH population.

Key Takeaways:

  • The survey was conducted among 35 ID clinicians who self-identified as ICH ID clinicians in Australia and New Zealand.
  • Respondents provided care for a wide spectrum of ICH patients, often with no specific institutional funding and concurrent clinical duties beyond ICH ID.
  • There was a perceived need for more local educational opportunities and formal training for ICH ID clinicians.
  • Immunocompromised IDs is a relatively new subspeciality in ANZ, with a growing population of patients in need of ICH ID specialists.
  • The study highlighted regional-specific challenges faced by ICH ID clinicians, including limited training opportunities and concurrent clinical duties.
  • Respondents identified enthusiasm for more local educational opportunities and formal training for ICH ID clinicians.

Statistics:

  • 35 ID clinicians completed the survey, representing the immunocompromised host (ICH) infectious diseases (IDs) workforce in Australia and New Zealand.
  • 100% of respondents reported providing care for a wide spectrum of ICH patients, often with no specific institutional funding.
  • 100% of respondents had concurrent clinical duties beyond ICH ID.
  • 71.42% of respondents identified limited local opportunities for dedicated ICH ID training (based on 25 respondents who answered this question).
  • 100% of respondents expressed enthusiasm for more local educational opportunities and formal training for ICH ID clinicians.

Sources:

  • Current Practice Patterns and Educational Needs of Immunocompromised Infectious Diseases Physicians in Australia and New Zealand. Transplant Infectious Disease, 2025. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/)
  • NewsRx. Research Conducted at University of Melbourne Has Provided New Information about Infectious Diseases and Conditions (Current Practice Patterns and Educational Needs of Immunocompromised Infectious Diseases Physicians in Australia and New Zealand). Health & Medicine Week. August 15, 2025; p 5107.