EnVision CF: Building the Next Generation of Leaders in Cystic Fibrosis Endocrinology. A Model for Physician-Scientist Workforce Development in Advanced Subspecialty Care.

INTRODUCTION

As people with cystic fibrosis (CF) live longer, the burden of endocrine and metabolic complications has become increasingly apparent. Despite a complex and evolving clinical landscape, until very recently, access to endocrinologists and reproductive health specialists with specific expertise in CF was limited to only a few large CF Centers.

DESCRIPTION: Recognizing this gap in skilled care-provider availability, in 2016 the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation launched EnVision CF: Emerging Leaders in CF Endocrinology. This national career development program was designed to train and support early career pediatric and adult endocrinologists, with the later addition of reproductive health specialists, to address both clinical and academic needs in CF endocrinology. Over a 3-year period, mentees work closely with national expert mentors, and receive 20% salary support to engage in a program that includes establishing CF endocrinology/reproductive health clinics, close engagement with the local CF team, and a national training curriculum.

DISCUSSION: Through longitudinal mentorship, protected time, and structured scholarly engagement, the program has fostered sustained clinical involvement, academic productivity, and leadership development among its participants. In less than 10 years, this program has increased the number of US physician subspecialists devoted to the endocrine and reproductive needs of people with CF by approximately 10-fold.

CONCLUSION

EnVision represents a successful national model for developing subspecialty expertise that could be considered in other fields with unique patient populations where access to appropriately trained care providers is challenging.