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In the UK, GPs play a key role in the identification and management of children, young people, and adults on the autism spectrum, but there is a paucity of research on GPs’ perceptions of working with these patients.

To understand GPs’ perceived self-efficacy in identifying and managing their patients on the autism spectrum, and the factors affecting this.

An online self-report survey was developed for completion by GPs across the UK.

A total of 304 GPs in the UK took part. The survey collected responses on participants’ background, training, and experience, both as a GP and with regard to autism, and included a 22-item knowledge of autism questionnaire, a 14-item self-efficacy scale targeting GPs’ perceived confidence in identifying and managing their autistic patients, and an open question eliciting participants’ experiences of working with autistic people.

In total …