Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42185023›Full record

ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2026

Healthcare professionals' perspectives on the challenges faced by parents of children with autism and recommendations to address them: a qualitative study in Hong Kong.

Karen Ky Ma, Anne-Marie Burn, Oscar Wh Wong, Olivia Choi, Sandra Sm Chan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Karen Ky MaDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9972-0256
Anne-Marie BurnDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK amb278@cam.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0637-2118
Oscar Wh WongDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Olivia ChoiDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Sandra Sm ChanDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perspectives on the challenges and needs of parents caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

designIn-depth individual and group interviews were conducted with 16 HCPs with over 10 years' experience working closely with children with autism and their families. HCPs interviewed provided tertiary specialist clinical services for ASD across a range of roles, including child psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, a social worker, an occupational therapist and a hospital-based teacher. Data was coded inductively and analysed using reflective thematic analysis.

settingA university-affiliated tertiary hospital in Hong Kong.

resultsThree themes were generated: (1) emotional strain and its negative impact on parenting practices, (2) misunderstanding about ASD and its management and (3) acknowledgement and acceptance of the ASD diagnosis. HCPs observed that challenges faced by parents and caregivers of children with ASD were often shaped by misinformation and misinterpretation of child behaviours and needs, as well as unrealistic expectations based on stereotypes and norms. HCPs provided recommendations for parents and caregivers, highlighting the need to strengthen relational skills to connect with their children, take their child's perspective and show appreciation and affection for their child's strengths.

conclusionsFindings from this study highlighted the need for psychoeducation and identified the potential target and timing for intervention to better support parents and caregivers of children with ASD in overcoming challenges and building stronger relationships with their children. This has important practical implications for mitigating bidirectional mutual perpetuation of parental stress and child behavioural and emotional problems.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelAutism Spectrum DisorderAutistic DisorderHealth PersonnelParentsAdultCaregiversChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHong KongHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedParentingCaregiversChild HealthChild PsychiatryPsychologyQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID42185023
PMCPMC13202031

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.