Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals toward exercise interventions for limbs with arteriovenous fistulas: a cross-sectional study

This study assessed healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding functional exercise for arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). From July to September 2025, 502 professionals at our hospital completed a KAP questionnaire, of which 417 (83.07%) met the predefined quality-control criteria. Among the 417 participants, the majority were female (60.43%), and the mean age was 36.15 ± 6.73 years. The mean knowledge score was 18.88 ± 2.44 (possible total score range of 0–20 points), the mean attitude score was 47.59 ± 2.83 (possible total score range of 0–50 points), and the mean practice score was 48.90 ± 2.64 (possible total score range of 0–50 points), indicating excellent KAP. Knowledge (β = 0.282, 95%CI: 0.181–0.383, P < 0.001) and attitude (β = 0.500, 95%CI: 0.413–0.586, P < 0.001) were independently associated with practice. The structural equation modeling results showed that knowledge had a direct effect on attitude (β = 0.836, P = 0.036). Knowledge had a significant total effect on practice (β = 0.724, P = 0.026), but the effects became non-significant when considered separately for direct and indirect effects (both P > 0.05). Attitude had no direct effect on practice (β = 0.747, P = 0.069). Healthcare professionals showed adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practices regarding exercise interventions for limbs with AVFs. The impact of KAP on the patient’s outcomes should be explored in future studies.