The state of the academic medical center in allergy/immunology: Work Group Report of the AAAAI A/I Division Directors Committee.

Abstract

The field of allergy and immunology (A/I) has transformed modern medicine with the development of diagnostic and therapeutic advances in all areas of health. This Work Group Report from the Division Directors Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology describes the current state of 5 mission areas (clinical, educational, research, equity, and advocacy) within the A/I divisions/subdivisions of academic medical centers (AMCs) in the United States. The current states of the clinical and educational mission areas in AMCs in A/I are strong, with an increasing prevalence of atopic/immunologic disorders and novel therapeutics, solid trainee interest, and tremendous potential for research, equity, and advocacy efforts. The interest in the field of A/I has outpaced the creation of new positions, leading to an increase in unmatched applicants yearly. Weaknesses and threats include decreasing federal research and educational funding, changing health care insurance policies, the dynamic legislative environment, and the negative impact of the business focus in academic institutions. The future of A/I will depend on the preservation of a strong academic foundation with improved recruitment to academic positions, increased training positions, and greater incentives for development of career opportunities in research and education, utilizing artificial intelligence tools and strong advocacy strategies.