Knowledge, attitude, and practice of nephrologists on the decision for renal replacement therapy

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of nephrologists on the decision of renal replacement therapy (RRT), including peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and kidney transplantation. METHODS: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted on qualified nephrologists who volunteered to participate between July and August 2022 by using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Among 327 nephrologists, the total knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 12.03 ± 2.11/16, 58.39 ± 6.62/75, and 27.15 ± 2.74/30, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the attitude score (peritoneal dialysis: OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.13–1.25, P < 0.001; hemodialysis: OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.09–1.19, P < 0.001; kidney transplantation: OR = 1.12, 95%CI: 1.07–1.16, P < 0.001), 41–50 years of age (peritoneal dialysis: OR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.21–0,98, P = 0.045; hemodialysis: OR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.12–0.60, P = 0.001; kidney transplantation: OR = 0.45, 95%CI:0.20–0.97, P = 0.042), and > 50 years of age (peritoneal dialysis: OR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.08–0.84, P = 0.024; hemodialysis: OR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.20–0.97, P = 0.042; kidney transplantation: OR = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.08–0.77, P = 0.016) were independently associated with the consideration score of peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and kidney transplantation. CONCLUSION: Better attitudes may lead to more consideration by nephrologists when choosing between peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and kidney transplantation and relatively less consideration by senior physicians when making decisions; in addition, having good knowledge and good attitudes may lead to better practice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-023-15530-0.