Table 4 Number and percentage of respondents who endorsed each item
| Â | Very often N(%) | Often N(%) | Sometimes N(%) | Rarely N(%) | Never N(%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patient-related barriers | |||||
 Challenging behaviours exhibited by the patient | 17 (8.4) | 94 (46.3) | 62 (30.5) | 23 (11.3) | 7 (3.4) |
 The patient’s reactivity to the healthcare environment | 28 (13.8) | 108 (53.2) | 42 (20.7) | 17 (8.4) | 8 (3.9) |
 There are communication difficulties | 57 (28.1) | 92 (45.3) | 31 (15.3) | 17 (8.4) | 6 (3) |
 Lengthy waiting room times for patients on the autism spectrum | 36 (17.7) | 67 (33) | 50 (24.6) | 23 (11.3) | 27 (13.3) |
 The patient’s use of outside providers | 24 (11.8) | 67 (33) | 56 (27.6) | 18 (8.9) | 38 (18.7) |
 Consultations are too short to accommodate patients on the autism spectrum | 38 (18.7) | 68 (33.5) | 53 (26.1) | 21 (10.3) | 23 (11.3) |
HCP/Family-related barriers | |||||
 There is a lack of clarity regarding GP remit/referral. | 26 (12.8) | 55 (27.1) | 50 (24.6) | 22 (10.8) | 50 (24.6) |
 There are financial disincentives due to the need for additional time with the patient | 19 (9.4) | 42 (20.7) | 49 (24.1) | 28 (13.8) | 65 (32) |
 The patients’ family/caregivers are sceptical of conventional medicine (e.g., vaccines) | 9 (4.4) | 29 (14.3) | 63 (31) | 59 (29.1) | 43 (21.2) |
 There is a lack of providers willing to work with patients on the autism spectrum | 21 (10.3) | 46 (22.7) | 51 (25.1) | 33 (16.3) | 52 (25.6) |
 Family/caregiver involvement makes provision of healthcare to patients on the autism spectrum more complex | 22 (10.8) | 39 (19.2) | 56 (27.6) | 50 (24.6) | 36 (17.7) |
 I prefer to avoid working with patients on the autism spectrum | 12 (5.9) | 25 (12.3) | 48 (23.6) | 59 (29.1) | 59 (29.1) |
System-related barriers | |||||
 There is a lack of support for patients/families | 70 (34.5) | 82 (40.4) | 25 (12.3) | 15 (7.4) | 11 (5.4) |
 The physical environment in healthcare settings is unsuitable | 53 (26.1) | 87 (42.9) | 38(18.7) | 14 (6.9) | 11 (5.4) |
 Lack of own knowledge for working with patients on the autism spectrum | 34 (16.7) | 96 (47.3) | 40 (19.7) | 23 (11.3) | 10 (4.9) |
 There is a lack of coordination between services | 65 (32) | 77 (37.9) | 29 (14.3) | 19 (9.4) | 13 (6.4) |
 There are shortages of medical and non-medical services for people on the autism spectrum | 45 (22.2) | 100 (49.3) | 29 (14.3) | 13 (6.4) | 16 (7.9) |