Nephrology is the medical treatment of conditions of the kidney and other problems of the renal system. A doctor who practices nephrology is called a nephrologist. Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine.

A nephrologist completes the same training as an internist; college, medical school and residency/internship. Once that education is complete, the doctor must take examinations to become board-certified in internal medicine.

After being certified in internal medicine, the doctor's education continues with two to three years of training (fellowship) in an accredited program in nephrology. Following this, the doctor will then be eligible to additionally be certified in nephrology.

Nephrologists diagnose causes of kidney failure, and prescribe appropriate treatment, such as medication, diet changes or dialysis. If none of these treatments work, a kidney transplant would be performed by a transplant surgeon.
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