Assessing knowledge, perceptions, awareness and attitudes on rare diseases among health care providers and health students in Mexico

Rare diseases (RDs) are serious and often fatal uncommon conditions with a high subjacent genetic origin. Since RD are not prevalent, knowledge regarding these diseases among health care providers and health students is scarce. The management of RD is often inadequate and precarious. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to assess the degree of knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of healthcare practitioners and students in Mexico. Herein we present a reliable questionnaire to assess the degree of knowledge, perceptions, awareness and attitudes of healthcare practitioners and students in Mexico with regard to RDs. The pilot study showed satisfactory levels of knowledge and significant differences in perceptions, awareness and attitudes among the study groups.