# Continuing medical education in renal pathology: current practices and needs among nephrologists

## TL;DR

This study explores how nephrologists view and engage with continuing education in renal pathology, identifying key challenges and training needs.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into current gaps in renal pathology education for nephrologists and proposes targeted training solutions.

## Key findings

- Most nephrologists recognize the clinical value of renal pathology, with senior and female physicians showing more positive attitudes.
- Primary institutions face challenges in linking pathology to clinical practice and require support for specimen referral and telepathology.
- Only 53.1% of nephrologists participate in annual training, citing time conflicts and lack of relevant content as barriers.

## Abstract

To investigate nephrologists’ attitudes toward renal pathology continuing medical education (CME), current problems, as well as their demands for CME

A self-designed questionnaire survey themed “The Value of Renal Pathology in Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment and CME Across Medical Institutions at All Levels” was conducted among 281 nephrologists. Descriptive statistical analysis, chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were performed on the survey data.

A total of 256 valid questionnaires were included, with the demographic profile as follows: 56.6% females, 29.7% aged over 40 years, 26.6% with senior titles or above, 41% with over 10 years of working experience, and 42.2% working in Class B tertiary hospitals and below. All respondents recognized the clinical value of renal pathology, with female and senior physicians showing more positive attitudes. Physicians in primary institutions faced prominent difficulties in linking pathological findings to clinical manifestations. Only 53.1% of the respondents participated in at least one training session per year, mainly due to time conflicts and lack of targeted content. Most physicians regarded clinico-pathological case analysis as the core training content, while senior/title-holding physicians also needed training on renal pathology advances and new technologies. And primary institutions demanded support for specimen referral and telepathology consultation.

Renal pathology training for nephrologists urgently needs to be strengthened and expanded. The content should cover clinico-pathological case analysis, pathological report interpretation, research advances and new technologies, according to the needs-oriented principle. Besides, practical remote slide-reading training was suggested.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-026-08798-4.