Assessing Knowledge and Confidence in Caring for Autistic Patients: An Observational Cross-sectional Study of Maltese General Practitioners and Psychiatrists.

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Camilleri, E., Borg, N., Testa, L., & Grech, A. (2025). Assessing Knowledge and Confidence in Caring for Autistic Patients: An Observational Cross-sectional Study of Maltese General Practitioners and Psychiatrists. In International Journal of Psychiatric Trainees. European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees. https://doi.org/10.55922/001c.143811

Publication date: 27 Oct 2025 Added to AutiHub: 7 Aug 2026 Type: Book chapter Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
4
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 4 (25.0%)
  1. Emma Camilleri
  2. Nicole Borg *
  3. Louisa Testa
  4. Anton Grech

Abstract

Introduction In Malta, general practitioners (GPs) are often the primary point of contact for autistic individuals. Psychiatrists also play a significant role. While international studies have conducted comprehensive research, little is known about the autism related knowledge and expertise of Maltese GPs and psychiatrists. Methods An online self-report cross-sectional survey targeting GPs and psychiatrists in Malta was conducted. The survey contained demographic questions, a 22-item true/false Knowledge of Autism Scale, and a 14-item self-efficacy scale. A total of 98 participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Data was analyzed descriptively, with correlational analyses carried out. Results Psychiatrists outperformed GPs in knowledge (mean=89.2% vs. 83.1%, p=0.0003) and self-efficacy (mean=6.7 vs. 5.7, p=0.0003). GP scores correlated positively with experience in psychiatry and autism-related training. Self-efficacy scores were higher among psychiatrists than GPs, with training and experience in psychiatry positively correlating with GPs’ self-efficacy. No correlation was found between having an autistic relative and autism knowledge. Discussion Maltese doctors exhibit strong autism knowledge yet variable confidence, especially lower in regards adults, and may overestimate actual clinical performance. The absence of specific predictors for psychiatrists may be due to sample bias. The significant intra-group variation in both knowledge and self-efficacy may indicate that current teaching is insufficient. Conclusion Targeted structured training addressing autistic adults, gender-specific presentations, extended psychiatry experience, and further local research may lead to improved patient outcomes. When paired with adult diagnostic services and integrated care pathways, this approach could significantly strengthen lifelong support for autistic individuals.

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Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:31.

Cited references
19
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
3 / 19 (15.8%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
9 / 59 (15.3%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 9 / 36 (25.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 4 / 43 (9.3%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
36 / 59 (61.0%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 20 / 43 (46.5%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
27 / 36 (75.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 27 / 59 (45.8%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 16 / 20 (80.0%).
4 cited bibliography entries could not be fully enriched from DOI metadata.
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