Evaluation of chronic kidney disease knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among family physicians working in Tokat province

Purpose: This descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of family physicians regarding chronic kidney disease. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of family physicians working in the provincial center of Tokat. Data were collected by the researcher between April 1, 2025, and June 1, 2025. Data collection forms were delivered to each family physician via face-to-face interviews. A total of 165 family physicians were reached. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and questions regarding General Approach and Awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the data. Findings: It was determined that 60.6% of family physicians were male, 62.5% had worked in the profession for more than 10 years, 47.8% had a general practitioner title, 78.2% worked in family health centers, 70.9% did not receive training in the follow-up/treatment of kidney patients after graduating from medical school, and 15.2% of those who received post-graduation training received training in courses taken during their specialty training. A significant difference was found between the gender of family physicians and the variables of symptoms suggestive of CKD, such as swollen eyes, believing they had sufficient knowledge and technical equipment in the follow-up and treatment of patients with CKD, and not having sufficient knowledge of guidelines, which was the reason for not believing they had sufficient knowledge and technical equipment in the follow-up and treatment of patients with CKD (p<0.05). A significant difference was found between the title of family physicians and their ability to assess patients' kidney function by measuring the albumin/creatinine ratio in spot urine, their ability to stage patients' disease based on GFR and albuminuria levels, their use of any guidelines or guides regarding the management and referral criteria for CKD, their belief that they possess sufficient knowledge and technical equipment for the follow-up and treatment of patients with CKD, their failure to obtain necessary laboratory tests, which is a reason for not believing they possess sufficient knowledge and technical equipment for the follow-up and treatment of patients with CKD, and their initiation of drug therapy in patients with CKD, the most common cause of CKD in Turkey (p<0.05). Conclusion: The majority of family physicians have not received adequate training in CKD after graduation, and their access to and use of current guidelines and guidelines are low. While family physicians are familiar with the basic clinical findings of CKD and largely familiar with the risk factors, inadequacies in disease staging, the use of diagnostic tests, and the initiation of drug therapy have been identified. Additionally, demographic factors such as professional title, gender, and length of service were found to have significant effects on knowledge levels and practice behaviors. The higher knowledge levels of specialist family physicians compared to general practitioners demonstrates that professional training plays a critical role in raising awareness in this area. This highlights the need to improve the knowledge and skills of family physicians for the effective management of CKD in primary care settings. Keywords: Family medicine, chronic kidney disease, knowledge, attitude