title: Assessment of the geriatric competence and perceived needs of Italian nephrologists: an internet survey.
abstract: An internet survey was set up to assess the geriatric competence and perceived needs of 337 members of the Italian society of nephrology (SIN). The survey assessed how well aware nephrologists are of the typical geriatric conditions and needs of their elderly chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. SIN associates were also questioned about their current use of comprehensive geriatric assessment, prescription of potentially nephrotoxic drugs, and screening for osteoporosis. The main finding is that CKD and dialysis are almost unanimously perceived as typically geriatric conditions, but knowledge and use of geriatric tools are scanty. While use of potentially inappropriate drugs is rare, almost half of the patients are not screened for osteoporosis. The significant clinical gaps observed could greatly impair the management of older CKD patients, and call for an urgent educational intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, Scientific Institut Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital, San Giovanni, Rotondo, FG, 71013, Italy. f.aucella@operapadrepio.it.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aucella
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, S. Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brunori
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Social Service, Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dalmartello
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leosco
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Aging and Metabolic Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paolisso
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, AO Ordine Mauriziano, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Martino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marangella
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni Battista
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antonelli Incalzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072104:Nephrologists; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Dialysis; Geriatric competence; Geriatric nephrology; Internet survey