Novel Insights into Autism Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Mental Illness in Dutch Youth and Family Center Physicians

Abstract

Professionals' limited knowledge on mental health and their stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness can delay the diagnosis of autism. We evaluated the knowledge on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and stigmatizing attitudes in 93 physicians at Dutch Youth and Family Centers (YFC). These physicians screen for psychiatric symptoms in children. We show that their general ASD knowledge scored 7.1 (SD 1.2), but their specific ASD knowledge was only 5.7 (SD 1.7) (weighted means on 1-10 scale, 1 = least knowledge, 10 = most knowledge). Our physicians had positive attitudes toward mental illness (CAMI scores 2.18 (SD 0.33) to 2.22 (SD 0.40) on a 5-point Likert scale) but they had higher levels of stigmatizing attitudes than other Western healthcare professionals. Their levels were considerably lower than in non-Western professionals. We found no relations between ASD knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes and demographic variables. In conclusion, ASD knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness in Dutch YFC physicians require attention.

Communication patterns in the doctor–patient relationship: evaluating determinants associated with low paternalism in Mexico

“…Professionals’ limited knowledge about mental health and stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness can delay the diagnosis of autism [ 73 ] and other disorders, such as IDD (a so-called intellectual disability), which can result in inequitable access to healthcare services [ 74 ] perhaps due to a poor communication process. In our study, the percentage of mental health professionals with a positive attitude toward and high knowledge about ASD and ADHD was 29.4% and 22.7% respectively, while that for IDD was lower (15.5%); these results could be explained by the fact that IDD is not clearly perceived as a pathological condition and, to an even greater degree, it is not considered a public health problem in Mexico.…”

Communication patterns in the doctor–patient relationship: evaluating determinants associated with low paternalism in Mexico.

“…Professionals' limited knowledge about mental health and stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness can delay the diagnosis of autism [76] and other disorders, such as IDD (so-called intellectual disability), which can result in inequitable access to health care services [77] that may be due to a poor communication process. In our study, the percentage of mental healthcare professionals with a positive attitude toward and high knowledge about ASD and ADHD was 29.4% and 22.7% respectively, while that for IDD was lower (15.5%); this results could be explained by the fact that IDD is not clearly perceived as a pathological condition and, to an even greater degree, it is not considered a public health problem in Mexico.…”

“…There are few studies evaluating the level of ASD knowledge among physicians screening children in the general population [81]. In a study implemented to evaluate the knowledge of ASD among 93 Dutch physicians who screened children for psychiatric symptoms, the results showed a general ASD knowledge score of 7.1 (SD 1.2) on a 1-10 scale but a speci c ASD knowledge score of only 5.7 (SD 1.7) [76]. Regarding ADHD, the results of a cross-sectional study of 340 primary health physicians in Saudi Arabia that aimed to collect data on personal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and diagnosis and management practices regarding this disorder showed that approximately one-third of the physicians had a poor level of knowledge [82].…”

Communication patterns in the doctor–patient relationship: evaluating determinants associated with low paternalism in Mexico.

“…Professionals' limited knowledge about mental health and stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness can delay the diagnosis of autism [73] and other disorders, such as IDD (so-called intellectual disability), which can result in inequitable access to health care services [74] that may be due to a poor communication process. In our study, the percentage of mental healthcare professionals with a positive attitude toward and high knowledge about ASD and ADHD was 29.4% and 22.7% respectively, while that for IDD was lower (15.5%); these results could be explained by the fact that IDD is not clearly perceived as a pathological condition and, to an even greater degree, it is not considered a public health problem in Mexico.…”

“…There are few studies evaluating the level of ASD knowledge among physicians screening children in the general population [78]. In a study implemented to evaluate the knowledge of ASD among 93 Dutch physicians who screened children for psychiatric symptoms, the results showed a general ASD knowledge score of 7.1 (SD 1.2) on a 1-10 scale but a speci c ASD knowledge score of only 5.7 (SD 1.7) [73]. Regarding ADHD, the results of a cross-sectional study of 340 primary health physicians in Saudi Arabia that aimed to collect data on personal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and diagnosis and management practices regarding this disorder showed that approximately one-third of the physicians had a poor level of knowledge [79].…”