Self-rated familiarity with autism spectrum disorders among practicing nurses: a cross-sectional study in the palestinian nursing practice

Abstract

Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disabilities of early childhood. Practicing nurses are in a key position to help patients with ASDs and/or their caregivers/families. This study was conducted to assess self-rated familiarity with ASDs among practicing nurses in Palestine. The study also aimed to identify the sociodemographic and practice variables that could predict high self-rated familiarity scores. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire. The study was conducted in the period between January 2019 and May 2019. The questionnaire collected: 1) the sociodemographic, pedagogic, and practice variables of the nurses, 2) their self-rated familiarity with signs and symptoms, treatment options, and community resources of ASDs, 3) their self-rated confidence in their abilities to provide counseling for parents/family/caregivers on the drugs prescribed for children/patients with ASDs and their potential adverse effects, and 4) their willingness to receive education/training on issues in ASDs. Results The questionnaire was completed by 357 practicing nurses. The practicing nurses self-reported inadequate familiarity with symptoms, treatment, and community resources of ASDs. The mean familiarity score was 35.8% (SD: 18.9%). The nurses also expressed low confidence in their ability to provide counseling services to caregivers/families of children with ASDs. About 75% of the nurses agreed that they could benefit from taking a continuing educational/training program in the area of ASDs and about 82% of the nurses agreed that the nursing school curriculum should include courses in the area of ASDs. The multiple linear regression model showed that higher familiarity scores were predicted by having longer practical experience, having a higher academic degree in nursing, and having a continuing educational course/program on ASDs. Conclusion Findings of this study highlighted inadequate familiarity with issues of ASDs among practicing nurses. Higher familiarity was predicted by the length of practical experience, higher academic degree in nursing, and having continuing educational course/program on ASDs. Specifically designed pedagogic interventions might be helpful in increasing familiarity of practicing nurses on ASDs. More investigations are still needed to evaluate if these interventions can improve familiarity and services provided to patients with ASDs.

Antipsychotic Medication Adverse Effect on Autistic Patients among Saudi Papulation

“…Moreover, in our study, 40.2% of the participants reported diagnosing and treating patients with autism, which is higher in comparison to a previous study, done by Altay M, which was conducted among family medicine physicians and reported that 70.8% of the participants had seen autism cases [25] . Per studies that medical students and different medical staff [26,27] , approximately 80.8% of participants in the current study were aware that children with ASDs had deficits in social interaction, communication or language, and behavioral development. However, a concerning finding was that only approximately 61.9% of participants correctly recognized the higher susceptibility of males to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), aligning with a study conducted in Palestine by Shawahna et al [28].…”

Investigating autism knowledge, self-efficacy, and confidence following maternal and child health nurse training for the early identification of autism

“…This is one of the few studies of an MCHN population that examines key competencies influencing ability to identify and support families with an infant or toddler at a high likelihood for autism, and the predictors of these capabilities. Little known previous research has examined relationships with, and predictors of, confidence in speaking with parents/caregivers about autism in a healthcare professional population, with previous studies only measuring this as an outcome of training in most instances, with the exception of Shawahna and colleagues ( 41 ). Other strengths include the large sample size in the TNS, which increases confidence in generalizability of the findings.…”

“…Predictors of healthcare professionals’ confidence appear to have been considered when evaluating autism training effectiveness ( 30 , 31 ). However, a 2021 study of 357 practicing nurses in Palestine found that only 9% of nurses felt confident counseling parents about autism ( 41 ). A moderate positive correlation was found between autism knowledge and confidence in discussing autism with parents, as well as a significant relationship between years of practice and continuing education on autism and increased knowledge.…”

An Assessment of Pediatric Nurses Awareness and Perceived Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Gulf State Survey

“…Tis suggests that more comprehensive training programs are necessary for health professionals to not only improve their knowledge of ASD but also ensure the provision of appropriate care for individuals with ASD. Research has shown that specialized training in ASD has been associated with signifcantly higher knowledge scores among nurses compared to those without such training [34]. Tis highlights the importance of continuing education and training for healthcare professionals [34].…”

“…Research has shown that specialized training in ASD has been associated with signifcantly higher knowledge scores among nurses compared to those without such training [34]. Tis highlights the importance of continuing education and training for healthcare professionals [34]. Yet, misconceptions and stigmatizing attitudes towards individuals with ASD still exist in the Gulf state of Saudi Arabia [20].…”