Factors affecting knowledge of autism spectrum disorder among pediatric residents in eastern China: a cross-sectional study

Song, C (通讯作者),Zhejiang Univ, Dept Dev & Behav Pediat, Childrens Hosp, Sch Med,Natl Clin Res Ctr Child Hlth, Hangzhou, Peoples R China.;Hong, YX (通讯作者),Zhejiang Univ, Educ Off, Childrens Hosp, Sch Med,Natl Clin Res Ctr Child Hlth, Hangzhou, Peoples R China.
2022-10-3
Background There is a global increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early identification of ASD in children and intervention are key aspects in the management of ASD. However, early identification is partly dependent on knowledge on ASD among pediatricians. This study analyzed the extent of ASD knowledge and its underlying factors among pediatric residents in eastern China, to provide a reference for medical education reforms. Methods The study employed the Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers questionnaire. A total of 138 pediatric residents participated in the survey. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic characteristics and the four domains of the questionnaire. Univariate analysis was employed to assess impacts of the demographic characteristics on the questionnaire scores. On the other hand, multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the participants' demographic characteristics and the questionnaire scores. Results The average ASD cognitive score of 138 respondents was 13.38 +/- 4.48. The ASD cognitive scores in female pediatric residents were higher compared to that in males (p < 0.05). Residents who had obtained professional doctor qualification certificate were more than those without professional doctor qualification certificate (p < 0.05). The ASD knowledge in the group which did not have rotation in both departments was lower than in the group which had rotation in both departments (p < 0.05) as well as the group that had rotation in developmental and behavioral pediatrics department only (p < 0.05). Our multivariate linear regression model demonstrated significant statistical differences (p < 0.05), and showed that gender and systematic exposure to ASD knowledge had significant effects on cognitive scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion Most participants had relatively low levels of awareness and knowledge about ASD, especially on ASD comorbidities and age of onset. Women, systematic learning of ASD knowledge in medical school, successful passing of the physician examination, and rotation in the developmental and behavioral pediatrics (DBP) department significantly influence the levels of ASD awareness and knowledge. It is, therefore, important to strengthen ASD education in medical students at the university level and make rotation in the DBP department a requisite for pediatric trainees.
BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION
卷号:22|期号:1
收录类别:SCIE
语种
英语
来源机构
Zhejiang University; Zhejiang University
资助信息
This study was supported by the Zhejiang nature science foundation of China (LGF20H090015), The Second Batch of Industry-University-Education Collaboration Projects (Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China) (202102177013), and 2020 Education Reform Project of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (jgyb20202037).
被引频次(WOS)
0
被引频次(其他)
0
180天使用计数
4
2013以来使用计数
4
EISSN
1472-6920
出版年
2022-10-3
DOI
10.1186/s12909-022-03770-4
学科领域
循证教育学
关键词
Autism spectrum disorder Knowledge Standardized training Pediatric resident China
资助机构
Zhejiang nature science foundation of China Second Batch of Industry-University-Education Collaboration Projects (Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China) 2020 Education Reform Project of Zhejiang University School of Medicine
WOS学科分类
Education & Educational Research Education, Scientific Disciplines