Seyhan Hidiroglu1, Nimet Emel Lüleci1, Melda Karavus1, Ozlem Tanriover2, Elif Samiye Bayar1, Ahmet Karavus3. 1. Department of Public Health, Marmara University, Faculty of Medicine. 2. Department of Family Medicine, Yeditepe University, Faculty of Medicine. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of childhood autism among physicians undergoing residency training in various disciplines. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a research and training hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, in February 2013 and comprised physicians undergoing residency training in various disciplines. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Questions about "awareness on autism" were prepared in the light of "Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 128 physicians, 122(95.3%) were aware that the most known characteristic of childhood autism was "failure to build-up friendship". All of the 29(22.66%) physicians at the neuropsychiatric disciplines were aware that "autism can be a genetic disorder", whereas, in other disciplines 69(69.7) physicians had that awareness. Besides, 15(51.7%) of the residents of the neuropsychiatric disciplines thought that "autism can be associated with childhood epilepsy", while 32(32.3%) physicians of other disciplines gave a similar answer (p=0.057). CONCLUSIONS: The awareness on childhood autism of residents belonging to the non- neuropsychiatric disciplines was moderate.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of childhood autism among physicians undergoing residency training in various disciplines. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a research and training hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, in February 2013 and comprised physicians undergoing residency training in various disciplines. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Questions about "awareness on autism" were prepared in the light of "Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 128 physicians, 122(95.3%) were aware that the most known characteristic of childhood autism was "failure to build-up friendship". All of the 29(22.66%) physicians at the neuropsychiatric disciplines were aware that "autism can be a genetic disorder", whereas, in other disciplines 69(69.7) physicians had that awareness. Besides, 15(51.7%) of the residents of the neuropsychiatric disciplines thought that "autism can be associated with childhood epilepsy", while 32(32.3%) physicians of other disciplines gave a similar answer (p=0.057). CONCLUSIONS: The awareness on childhood autism of residents belonging to the non- neuropsychiatric disciplines was moderate.