Delineating the broad range of public health contributions provided by physicians specializing in infectious diseases, an article published today in Clinical Infectious Diseases sets forth concrete recommendations to ensure continued training and practice in the field meet increasing demand.
In addition to the care they administer to individual patients, the article notes, infectious disease physicians protect public health by preventing and controlling hospital acquired infections, implementing antimicrobial stewardship, enabling disease surveillance and in responses to infectious disease outbreaks in the U.S. and worldwide. While undergoing from two to four years of additional training, however, infectious diseases physicians earn significantly less than physicians in other subspecialties, including ones that require less training. The article counts this among factors discouraging new physicians facing the need to repay substantial medical education loans from entering the field.
Enumerating the ways in which infectious disease physicians’ expertise are essential to public health practice, policy and interventions, the article’s authors recommend policies that
• establish loan repayment opportunities for infectious diseases working in public service,
• establish fair and adequate compensation for those working in public service, or whose work provides broader public health benefits,
• ensure that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services billing codes reflect the complexity of care provided by infectious diseases physicians,
• and ensure that local state, federal and global public health agencies are fully funded.
The article, "Infectious Diseases Physicians: Improving and Protecting the Public’s Health- Why Equitable Compensation is Critical," can be read HERE.
Source: Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
July 11th 2025Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.