First Contact in The Diagnosis Process of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comparison of The Knowledge Levels of Pediatricians and Primary Care Physicians Working in The Province of Diyarbakir and Investigation of Influencing Factors

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge level and clinical approach of pediatricians and primary care physicians who first come into contact with children regarding autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 188 physicians who agreed to participate. Data were collected using the Childhood Autism Knowledge Scale for Healthcare Professionals (KCAWH) and a questionnaire containing sociodemographic information. Data were analyzed based on sociodemographic characteristics, ASD knowledge scores, and case referral practices. Results: The mean total KCAWH score of the participants was found to be 13.85 ± 2.12. There was no statistically significant difference between the total knowledge scores of pediatricians and primary care physicians (p>0.05). A one-way ANOVA test for total knowledge scores across age groups revealed a statistically significant difference (F(2.185) = 3.717; p = 0.026). According to the post-hoc analysis results, the knowledge scores of physicians in the 27-40 age group (14.12 ± 2.17) were found to be significantly higher than those in the 41-50 age group (13.23 ± 1.83) (p = 0.047). Female gender was identified to be the strongest independent factor predicting knowledge level in the regression analysis (p=0.016). Conclusion: Screening processes, which play an important role in early diagnosis, need to be improved, and physicians need to be supported with practical and routine training.

Keywords

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Early Diagnosis
• Primary Care Physician

Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Tanı Sürecinde ilk Temas: Diyarbakır İlinde Çalışan Pediatrist ve Birinci Basamak Hekimlerinin Bilgi Düzeylerinin Karşılaştırılması ve Etkileyen Faktörlerin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, çocuklarla ilk teması kuran pediatrist ve birinci basamak hekimlerinin otizm spektrum bozukluğu (OSB) konusundaki bilgi düzeylerini ve klinik yaklaşımlarını değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yöntemler: Kesitsel tipteki bu araştırmaya, çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden 188 hekim dahil edilmiştir. Sağlık çalışanlarında Çocukluk Çağı Otizmi Bilgi Ölçeği (SÇ-OBA) ve sosyodemografik bilgileri içeren bir anket ile veriler toplanmıştır. Veriler; sosyodemografik özellikler, OSB bilgi puanları ve vaka yönlendirme pratikleri üzerinden analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Katılımcıların SÇ-OBA toplam puan ortalaması 13.85 ± 2.12 olarak saptanmıştır. Pediatristler ile birinci basamak hekimlerinin toplam bilgi puanları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır (p>0.05). Yaş grupları arasında toplam bilgi puanı açısından yapılan tek yönlü ANOVA testinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark saptanmıştır (F(2, 185) = 3,717; p = 0,026). Post-hoc analiz sonuçlarına göre; 27-40 yaş grubundaki hekimlerin bilgi puanlarının (14.12 ± 2.17), 41-50 yaş grubuna (13.23 ± 1.83) göre anlamlı düzeyde yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir (p = 0.047). Kadın cinsiyetinin yapılan regresyon analiziyle bilgi düzeyini yordayan en güçlü bağımsız faktör olduğu belirlenmiştir (p=0.016). Sonuç: Erken tanı için önemli bir yeri olan tarama süreçlerinin iyileştirilmesi ve hekimlerin pratik ve rutin eğitimlerle desteklenmesi gerekmektedir.

Keywords

• Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu
• Erken Tanı
• Aile Hekimi
• Pediatrist

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