Qualitative research on the status quo of screening and management of diabetic kidney disease in six provinces and cities in China

Objective:To investigate and analyse the current status of screening and management of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in six provinces and cities in China.Methods:The qualitative research method of focus group interview was adopted, based on the semi-structured interview outline, the clinical medical and disease control personnel in Tianjin, Chongqing, Gansu, Hubei, Heilongjiang, and Guangdong were interviewed. The interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis, and MAXQDA analysis software was used for data management and analysis.Results:A total of 6 interviews were conducted with 49 interviewees. Forty respondents (81.6%) claimed that DKD screening was critical; 53.1% think that it was not easy for patients to obtain DKD screening services; 40.8%, 26.5% and 14.3% of the people believed that the technology of DKD screening services was moderate, simple or very simple, respectively. Of the respondents,16.3% thought that the cost of DKD screening service was relatively expensive, while 83.7% thought that the cost was inexpensive; 75.5% of the respondents believed that the patients could receive early DKD screening service. The factors of fully implementing medical reform policies, changing concepts and actively serving patients, and integrating external resources in medical and health institutions at all levels and of all types were conducive to the development of DKD screening and management services. The lack of technology and personnel for DKD screening services at the grassroots level, the lack of trust in the service capabilities of grassroots medical institutions by patients, the low level of patient awareness, and the novel coronavirus infection epidemic had an adverse impact on the development of DKD screening and management services.Conclusion:The screening and management services for DKD are relatively limited in China, and there is a significant fragmentation in the management and care of diabetes and DKD.