Factors influencing timely diagnosis of autism in China: an application of Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use
Abstract Background Timely diagnosis of autism is pivotal for accessing crucial supports and services. However, achieving it remains a persistent challenge, particularly in countries like China where the healthcare system is characterized by its intricate network and often resulting in fragmented ca...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06590-0 |
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| author | Zhuoqing Li Xuejing Niu Patrick C. M. Wong Huanyu Zhang Li Wang |
| author_facet | Zhuoqing Li Xuejing Niu Patrick C. M. Wong Huanyu Zhang Li Wang |
| author_sort | Zhuoqing Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Timely diagnosis of autism is pivotal for accessing crucial supports and services. However, achieving it remains a persistent challenge, particularly in countries like China where the healthcare system is characterized by its intricate network and often resulting in fragmented care delivery and disparities in access. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among families with autistic children aged between 1 and 17 years in Chinese Mainland. Andersen’s Behavioral Model guided the assessment of predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Results The study revealed that 86.24% of Chinese children did not receive a formal diagnosis until after 24 months, with an average gap of 10.93 months between parents/caregivers’ initial concerns and diagnostic confirmation. Predisposing factors of the child’s current age emerged as a significant predictor for timely diagnosis. Enabling factors, including residence-hospital distance and experience of misdiagnosis were significant. Additionally, the severity level at diagnosis was identified as a predictor for timely diagnosis. Conclusions Our findings revealed that predisposing, enabling, and need factors contributed to the complex landscape of autism diagnosis in China. Strategies including implementing routine screening programs and adopting a multidisciplinary approach are crucial for timely identification and diagnosis, particularly for mild and moderate cases. Additionally, there is an urgent need for specialized autism training for healthcare professionals, the development of structured referral systems, and the expansion of telehealth solutions to ensure equitable access to diagnosis services across regions. By addressing these challenges, policymakers and healthcare providers can improve the accessibility and timeliness of autism diagnosis, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals and their families. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ffd2b47cacea4d5f84b75ba853326e01 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-ffd2b47cacea4d5f84b75ba853326e012025-08-20T03:03:41ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-02-0125111210.1186/s12888-025-06590-0Factors influencing timely diagnosis of autism in China: an application of Andersen’s behavioral model of health services useZhuoqing Li0Xuejing Niu1Patrick C. M. Wong2Huanyu Zhang3Li Wang4Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong KongInternational Office, Guilin University of Aerospace TechnologyBrain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong KongClinical Big Data Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityShenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong KongAbstract Background Timely diagnosis of autism is pivotal for accessing crucial supports and services. However, achieving it remains a persistent challenge, particularly in countries like China where the healthcare system is characterized by its intricate network and often resulting in fragmented care delivery and disparities in access. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among families with autistic children aged between 1 and 17 years in Chinese Mainland. Andersen’s Behavioral Model guided the assessment of predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Results The study revealed that 86.24% of Chinese children did not receive a formal diagnosis until after 24 months, with an average gap of 10.93 months between parents/caregivers’ initial concerns and diagnostic confirmation. Predisposing factors of the child’s current age emerged as a significant predictor for timely diagnosis. Enabling factors, including residence-hospital distance and experience of misdiagnosis were significant. Additionally, the severity level at diagnosis was identified as a predictor for timely diagnosis. Conclusions Our findings revealed that predisposing, enabling, and need factors contributed to the complex landscape of autism diagnosis in China. Strategies including implementing routine screening programs and adopting a multidisciplinary approach are crucial for timely identification and diagnosis, particularly for mild and moderate cases. Additionally, there is an urgent need for specialized autism training for healthcare professionals, the development of structured referral systems, and the expansion of telehealth solutions to ensure equitable access to diagnosis services across regions. By addressing these challenges, policymakers and healthcare providers can improve the accessibility and timeliness of autism diagnosis, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals and their families.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06590-0AutismAndersen's behavioral modelTimely diagnosisInfluencing factorsChina |
| spellingShingle | Zhuoqing Li Xuejing Niu Patrick C. M. Wong Huanyu Zhang Li Wang Factors influencing timely diagnosis of autism in China: an application of Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use BMC Psychiatry Autism Andersen's behavioral model Timely diagnosis Influencing factors China |
| title | Factors influencing timely diagnosis of autism in China: an application of Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use |
| title_full | Factors influencing timely diagnosis of autism in China: an application of Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use |
| title_fullStr | Factors influencing timely diagnosis of autism in China: an application of Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors influencing timely diagnosis of autism in China: an application of Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use |
| title_short | Factors influencing timely diagnosis of autism in China: an application of Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use |
| title_sort | factors influencing timely diagnosis of autism in china an application of andersen s behavioral model of health services use |
| topic | Autism Andersen's behavioral model Timely diagnosis Influencing factors China |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06590-0 |
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