title: A survey of current procedural practices of Australian and New Zealand nephrologists.
abstract: The aim of this study was to describe the range and extent of current procedural practices of Nephrologists and trainees in Australia and New Zealand with a specific focus on renal biopsy. A web-based survey was constructed based on a 2009 pilot survey conducted by the authors. The survey was distributed by email. A total of 118 responses were received from 60 centers, including six pediatric centers; Nephrologists or trainees performed the following procedures: urine microscopy 36.4%; diagnostic ultrasound 10.2%; renal biopsy 93.2%; simple vascath insertion 64.4%; cuffed vascath insertion 22%; peritoneal catheter insertion 16.9%; fistula ultrasound 20.3%; and fistulography 5%. Trainees performed most renal biopsies (67.8% of respondents) and real-time ultrasound was the commonest technique (97%). The majority of respondents believe that renal biopsy is an essential skill for trainees (78.8%); 10-25 biopsies are required for trainee proficiency (59.3%); an online training module would assist in teaching renal biopsies (67.8%). Cuffed catheter insertion and fistulography were more often performed in nonmetropolitan than in metropolitan centers. Procedures are part of Australian and New Zealand Nephrology, including specialized procedures in a minority of centers. Vascular access procedures are more common in nonmetropolitan centers. Renal biopsy is an important skill, considered essential for trainees by most.
authors: Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, AustraliaRoyal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, AustraliaCairns Hospital, Cairns, AustraliaTamworth Hospital, Tamworth, Australia.
authors: Angus G
authors: AG
authors: Ritchie
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Saunders
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Baer
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: May
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003950:Diagnostic Techniques, Urological / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D009398:Nephrology; D009520:New Zealand; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D019035:Rural Health Services; D062666:Vascular Access Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data