- Anka Tıp Dergisi
- Cilt: 4 Sayı: 3
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: Why is It Underdiagnosed in Primary Care?
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Why is It Underdiagnosed in Primary Care?
Authors : Adem Durmaz, Muammer Yılmaz
Pages : 113-118
Doi:10.38175/phnx.1146882
View : 488 | Download : 531
Publication Date : 2022-11-10
Article Type : Research
Abstract :Objectives: When Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed early, successful results can be obtained with various therapies. It was aimed to investigate the awareness of primary care physicians about ASD, which plays an important role in its early diagnosis. Material and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, Family Physicians in Kütahya were reached and “Knowledge about childhood autism among health workers (KCAHW) questionnaire” was applied on a voluntary basis. Results: Of the 151 family physicians (FPs) in the study, 81.5% were general practitioners, 17.9% were FP specialists and 0.7% were other medical field specialists. Although 86.8% of the participants had received training on autism, 64.9% were determined to feel inadequate. The KCAHW score and awareness of those who followed patients with ASD, those who received theoretical training, women, and newer FPs in the profession were higher, but the awareness of only young FPs was statistically significant (p<0,05). Conclusions: FPs in primary care, the first meeting place for sick and healthy babies and children with health workers, have a lack of information about ASD; thus, they do not feel adequate. Therefore, ASD should be involved sufficiently especially in pediatrics, family medicine, public health and child psychiatry internships during medical education.Keywords : Otizm, farkındalık, eğitim, Aile Hekimi, Birinci Basamak.