General practitioners’ perspectives regarding early developmental surveillance for autism within the Australian primary healthcare setting: A qualitative study.
Creators: name: Barbaro, Josephine
name: Gilbert, Melissa
name: Teresa, Winata,
name: Nair, Radhika
name: Khan, Feroza
name: Lucien, Abbie
name: Islam, Raisa
name: Masi, Anne
name: Diaz, Antonio Mendoza
name: Dissanayake, Cheryl
name: Karlov, Lisa
name: Descallar, Joseph
name: Eastwood, John
name: Iqbal, Hasan
name: Jalaludin, Bin
name: Kohlhoff, Jane
name: Liaw, Siaw-Teng
name: Raghu, Lingam,
name: Ong, Natalie
name: Tam, Chun Wah Michael
name: Lingam, Raghu
name: Woolfenden, Sue
name: Eapen, Valsamma
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
classificationCode: 4203
subject: Health services and systems

description: BACKGROUND: Significant challenges remain in the early identification of child developmental disabilities in the community. Implementing supports and services early in the life course has been shown to promote positive developmental outcomes for children at high likelihood of developmental disabilities, including autism. As part of a cluster randomised controlled trial, this study seeks to examine and compare the perspectives and experiences of Australian general practitioners (GPs) in relation to a digital developmental surveillance program for autism and usual care pathway, in general practice clinics. METHODS: A qualitative research methodology with semi-structured interviews and thematic inductive analysis underpinned by grounded theory was utilised. All GPs from South Western Sydney (NSW) and Melbourne (Victoria) who participated in the main program ("GP Surveillance for Autism") were invited to the interview. GPs who provided consent were interviewed either over online or in-person meeting. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using NVivo12 software. Inductive interpretive approach was adopted and data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Twenty-three GPs across the two sites (NSW: n = 11; Victoria: n = 12) agreed to be interviewed; data saturation had reached following this number of participants. Inductive thematic coding and analysis yielded eight major themes and highlighted common enablers such as the role of GPs in early identification and subsequent supports, enhanced communication between clinicians/professionals, relationship-building with patients, and having standardised screening tools. Specific facilitators to the feasibility and acceptability of a digital screening program for the early identification of developmental disabilities, including the early signs of autism, and encouraging research and education for GPs. However, several practical and socioeconomic barriers were identified, in addition to limited knowledge and uptake of child developmental screening tools as well as COVID-19 lockdown impacts. Common and specific recommendations involve supporting GPs in developmental/paediatrics training, streamlined screening process, and funding and resources in the primary healthcare services. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted the need for practice and policy changes, including further training of GPs alongside sufficient time to complete developmental checks and appropriate financial remuneration through a Medicare billing item. Further research is needed on implementation and scale up of a national surveillance program for early identification of developmental disabilities, including autism.