The Role of the Primary Care Physician in Screening for CKD

Primary care physicians (PCPs) are essential in early CKD detection, as they often manage patients with diabetes, hypertension, and other high-risk conditions. Empowering PCPs involves providing clear protocols for measuring eGFR and uACR, integrating risk-based screening into routine visits, and using electronic health record alerts to identify patients needing testing. Continuing medical education, concise guideline summaries, and access to decision-support tools help PCPs stay current with ACC, KDIGO, and ADA recommendations. Addressing guideline inconsistencies requires harmonizing definitions of high-risk populations, standardizing screening intervals, and aligning laboratory thresholds across specialties. Collaborative efforts between nephrology, cardiology, and primary care, supported by multidisciplinary consensus statements, can create a unified, evidence-based approach. Implementing these strategies ensures timely CKD identification, appropriate risk stratification, and consistent management, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing both cardiovascular and renal complications.