Value of electron microscopy as perceived by nephrologists in Flanders, Belgium.

Abstract

Electron microscopy (EM) is an important complementary tool in biopsy diagnosis of kidney disease. However, EM is a costly technique and not universally available. In order to understand nephrologists' perspectives on EM, a survey among Flemish nephrologists was conducted. The survey explores nephrologists' knowledge and satisfaction with EM, the barriers in its use, and its role in decision-making.A questionnaire was sent out to Dutch-speaking nephrologists in Belgium (Flanders) via the professional organization NBVN (Nederlandstalige Belgische Vereniging voor Nefrologie).The average satisfaction of EM accessibility in nephrologists, was 4.0 on a scale from 1 (very unsatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). The main barrier in ordering EM appeared to be the long turnaround time, indicated by 32.5% of nephrologists. The reports were found mostly understandable by 61.0% of the nephrologists. The impact of EM on diagnosis of kidney disease was estimated higher than its impact on the treatment: 24.4% of respondents estimated diagnosis changes in less than 5% of cases, versus 68.3% estimated treatment changes in less than 5% of cases.This study provides key insights into nephrologists' perception on EM services, revealing high overall satisfaction. However, there is potential for improvement, especially regarding turnaround times.