Abstract
In line with the Editorial "How to explain the low penetration of peritoneal dialysis in Brazil," published in 2014 in the Brazilian Journal of Nephrology written by Professor Hugo Abensur, we show the results of a study "Assessment of knowledge on renal replacement therapy in the health workers of the regions: Juiz de Fora, São João Nepomuceno e Santos Dumont "(Approved by the Ethics Committee of UFJF CAAE: 23659213.8.0000.5147 and funded by FAPEMIG under APQ number 03626-12). We conducted a study with the
Objective:
to evaluate the knowledge of RRT for the health professionals of Juiz de Fora, São João Nepomuceno e Santos Dumont.
Methods:
A Cross-sectional study from April 2014 to April 2015 with the population of health professionals (doctors, nurses and nursing assistance) who worked in the emergency units (EU) and primary health care (PHC) . Health professionals were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire, based on a clinical case of a patient diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease who developed worsening renal function; initially presented creatinine 1.8 mg/dL and evaluated to 12 mg/dL. Different questions did made for professional category.
Results:
We interviewed 75 professionals from 8 municipalities, 26.7% physicians, 32% nurses and 41.3% of nurse assistance. A mean age was 38 years. Of these 70.7% were working in PHC and 29.3% in EU. Both the EU as in PHC, the frequency of cases care was similar between once a month, once every three months. Most would forward the patient to hospital and indicate RRT. The RRT is most suitable for physicians was HD (> 90% of cases) and less than 10% as first choice indicate was PD. The association of "creatinine" and "renal function" is appropriate in over 90% of respondents, despite no association with the same level of glomerular filtration when this question is asked. More than 90% of non-medical professionals wish to conduct education/training in nephrology/RRT.
Conclusion:
We observed that most professionals do not indicate peritoneal dialysis, especially medical professionals from EU or PHC; 90% of them indicated HD. On nurses from PHC 52.1% indicated HD and 9.4% DP. Those EU, 41.6% indicated HD and 26.6% PD. We conclude that minority health professionals indicate PD as first choice and the qualitative question often refer deficit "knowledge in the area" and are interested in conducting training/capacity building.
Keywords:
dialysis; knowledge; male, nurses; physicians; transplantation