An Assessment of the Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Polish Primary Care Physicians.

A survey of 166 Polish doctors found they have limited knowledge about autism. Doctors answered correctly about autism causes 38% of the time, diagnosis criteria 43% of the time, and patient support 70% of the time. Female doctors, pediatricians, and doctors still in training knew more about autism. The study shows doctors need better autism education.

This cross-sectional survey study assessed autism knowledge among 166 Polish primary care physicians (66.4% response rate). The study evaluated knowledge across three domains: etiology (37.95% correct responses), diagnosis criteria (42.69% correct), and patient support (70.05% correct). Female physicians demonstrated higher knowledge levels across all categories. Pediatricians showed superior knowledge compared to general practitioners, and physicians in training outperformed specialists.

Physicians from smaller towns and those with more clinical experience had lower knowledge scores. The findings reveal significant knowledge gaps in autism spectrum disorder among primary care physicians, particularly in theoretical foundations of ASD understanding.

Results highlight urgent need for autism-specific training in primary care settings. Educational interventions should target etiology and diagnostic criteria knowledge gaps. Tailored training programs may be needed for different physician specialties and experience levels to improve early identification and appropriate referral pathways.

Single country study limiting generalizability. Survey methodology may not reflect actual clinical practice. Response rate of 66.4% introduces potential selection bias. Sample size and demographic details not fully reported. Knowledge assessment may not correlate with clinical competency.

: In light of the growing need to incorporate primary care physicians (PCPs) in the complex care system for autistic patients, this study aims to assess the level of physicians' knowledge of the autism spectrum in Poland.: After a literature review, an online survey consisting of 20 items assessing the knowledge of autism etiology, diagnosis criteria, and patient support was developed. Of 250 invitations, 166 physicians filled out the form (a 66.4% response rate). For the statistical analysis, the normal distribution was excluded for all data based on the Shapiro-Wilk test. The U-Mann-Whitney test was performed for two variables to verify the comparison of variables.

The threshold of statistical significance was at the level of= 0.05.: Correct responses regarding autism etiology, diagnosis, and support were 37.95%, 42.69%, and 70.05%, respectively. Female physicians presented a higher level of knowledge regarding all categories. The level of general knowledge is statistically higher in pediatricians than in general practitioners, and the knowledge of physicians in training is higher in contrast to specialists. The knowledge of physicians from small towns, as well as physicians with more clinical experience, was low.: This study revealed an insufficient level of knowledge relating to autism spectrum disorder among primary care physicians, which is similar to the findings of other studies conducted in different regions of the world.

The lack of knowledge is especially evident in the theoretical preparation of physicians regarding ASD.