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Background: Significant challenges remain in the early identification of child developmental disabilities in the community. Implementing supports and services early in the life course has been shown to promote positive developmental outcomes for children at high likelihood of developmental disabilities, including autism. As part of a cluster randomised controlled trial, this study seeks to examine and compare the perspectives and experiences of Australian general practitioners (GPs) in relation to a digital developmental surveillance program for autism and usual care pathway, in general practice clinics., Methods: A qualitative research methodology with semi-structured interviews and thematic inductive analysis underpinned by grounded theory was utilised. All GPs from South Western Sydney (NSW) and Melbourne (Victoria) who participated in the main program ("GP Surveillance for Autism") were invited to the interview. GPs who provided consent were interviewed either over online or in-person meeting. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using NVivo12 software. Inductive interpretive approach was adopted and data were analysed thematically., Results: Twenty-three GPs across the two sites (NSW: n = 11; Victoria: n = 12) agreed to be interviewed; data saturation had reached following this number of participants. Inductive thematic coding and analysis yielded eight major themes and highlighted common enablers such as the role of GPs in early identification and subsequent supports, enhanced communication between clinicians/professionals, relationship-building with patients, and having standardised screening tools. Specific facilitators to the feasibility and acceptability of a digital screening program for the early identification of developmental disabilities, including the early signs of autism, and encouraging research and education for GPs. However, several practical and socioeconomic barriers were identified, in addition to limited knowledge and uptake of child developmental screening tools as well as COVID-19 lockdown impacts. Common and specific recommendations involve supporting GPs in developmental/paediatrics training, streamlined screening process, and funding and resources in the primary healthcare services., Conclusions: The study highlighted the need for practice and policy changes, including further training of GPs alongside sufficient time to complete developmental checks and appropriate financial remuneration through a Medicare billing item. Further research is needed on implementation and scale up of a national surveillance program for early identification of developmental disabilities, including autism., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: Marijuana and nonprescription opioids remain the two most commonly used illicit substances in the United States. They have commonalities, yet the use of both at the same time may have a greater impact on psychological and health outcomes. Research is needed to determine whether dual-use is associated with more negative outcomes than individual substance use., Method: We used the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) Wave 1 (W1; N = 43,093), Wave 2 (W2; N = 34,653), and the more recent NESARC-III (N3; N = 36,171) to compare nonuse with use of marijuana, nonprescription opioids, or both. We examined perceived health, pain interference, pain-related medical conditions, psychiatric conditions, and suicidality., Results: Individual use and dual-use were more common in N3 than in W1. W1 dual-use and nonprescription opioid-only use predicted worse outcomes for most variables prospectively and cross-sectionally, including pain interference and poorer general health. Associations between marijuana-only use and outcomes were not as strong; however, marijuana was associated with depression and suicidal ideation., Conclusion: Nonprescription opioid use is concerning with dual-use predicting poorer perceived health and pain interference with work 3 years later along with strong relationships to suicidality and psychiatric conditions. Marijuana and nonprescription opioid dual-use is a possible treatment target. Substance interventions may be enhanced by addressing alternative pain care; chronic conditions; and/or psychiatric comorbidity. Differences in outcomes between substance use and nonuse were smaller recently in N3, particularly for marijuana use only. This may be due to increased access decreasing differences between those using and not using these drugs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).