Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To understand the difference in the attitude of hemodialysis patients and their families towards hemodialysis in community in Chengdu. Methods A total of 673 hemodialysis patients and 386 family members from 11 hospitals in Chengdu were selected for the study. Results Only 17.1% of patients and 21.2% of family members had heard of "community hemodialysis", and there was no significant difference between patients and their family members (c2=2.798, P=0.094). The scores of self-assessed "necessities for establishing a community hemodialysis center" and "acceptance of treatment in a community hemodialysis center" were lower in patients than in their families (2.14±1.11 vs. 2.32±1.07; 1.76±1.22 vs. 2.03±
1.18), and the differences were statistically significant (t=-2.577, P=0.010; t=-3.440, P=0.001). In terms of the type of community hemodialysis centers, the acceptance scores of community hemodialysis centers jointly established by public hospitals and communities, community health centers alone, public hospitals and enterprises, and by enterprises alone were higher in family members than in patients (2.08±1.18 vs. 2.39±1.12; 1.77± 1.09 vs. 2.17±1.11; 1.85±1.10 vs. 2.16±1.11; 1.68±1.08 vs. 1.99±1.13). The differences were statistically significant (t=-4.258, P<0.001; t=-5.811, P<0.001; t=-4.472, P<0.001; t=-4.388, P<0.001). Conclusion The awareness and acceptance of community hemodialysis are low in patients and their families in Chengdu. Family members believe that it is necessary to establish a community hemodialysis center, with higher acceptance of community hemodialysis and different types of community hemodialysis centers than patients. The attitudes to community hemodialysis prompt government departments and public hospital institutions to cooperate with each other, design effective measures, strengthen the education and guidance of community dialysis, improve the awareness of patients and family members on community dialysis, and reduce the burden of medical care to family members.

Key words: Community hemodialysis, Attitude, Patient, Family member