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- Title
Barriers to autism screening in family medicine practice: a qualitative study.
- Authors
Fenikilé, Tsehaiwork Sunny; Ellerbeck, Kathryn; Filippi, Melissa K.; Daley, Christine M.
- Abstract
AimWe explored potential barriers to adoption of recommended screening for autism by family physicians at 18- and 24-month well-child visits.BackgroundThe American Academy of Pediatrics recommends early detection and intervention of autism through the use of a standardized autism-specific screening tool on all children at the 18- and 24-month well-child visits. However, not all family physicians screen for autism.MethodsThree focus groups and six semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 family physicians in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Verbatim transcripts were inductively coded; data were analyzed using standard text analysis.FindingsParticipants had differing views on the increased incidence of autism. Most participants attributed the increase to changes in diagnostic criteria. There was no consensus on the benefit of implementing universal screening for autism during the 18- or 24-month visit. Many preferred to identify potential problems through general developmental assessments and observations. No participants used specific screening tools for autism, and only one participant was aware of such a tool (M-CHAT). Lack of adequate training on child development and screening methods as well as limited availability of community-based resources to manage children with autism was seen as major barriers to routine screening. Suggested solutions included working toward a stronger evidence base, improving physician training and continuing education, and making systemic changes in healthcare. In conclusion, universal screening for autism at the 18- and 24-month visits is not widely accepted, nor is it implemented by family physicians.
- Subjects
KANSAS; DIAGNOSIS of autism; COMMUNITY health services; DENVER Developmental Screening Test; FAMILY medicine; FOCUS groups; GROUNDED theory; INTERVIEWING; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL care use; GENERAL practitioners; MEDICAL screening; PROFESSIONS; STATISTICAL sampling; SCHOOL health services; SOCIAL stigma; TIME; QUALITATIVE research; EARLY intervention (Education); THEMATIC analysis; PARENT attitudes; PHYSICIANS' attitudes; WORK experience (Employment); ECONOMICS
- Publication
Primary Health Care Research & Development, 2015, Vol 16, Issue 4, p356
- ISSN
1463-4236
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1017/S1463423614000449