A prospective study was undertaken to assess the utility of the renal biopsy as a tool in the clinical practice of nephrology. Nephrologists performing this procedure were surveyed concerning prebiopsy diagnosis, plans for therapy and estimation of prognosis, before and after biopsy results were disclosed. On the basis of 108 specimens from both academic centers and community hospitals, clinical and pathological diagnoses differed in 63% and therapeutic approach was altered in 34% of the cases. These results were greatest for nephrotic syndrome and for renal failure of rapid onset. The change in treatment was frequently of major consequence: decisions for the use of corticosteroids, cytotoxic agents and/or plasma exchange were altered based upon biopsy diagnoses. There were no differences either in diagnostic acumen or therapeutic approach between academic and community nephrologists. We conclude that renal biopsies are an important and frequently used part of the nephrologists' approach to patient care.