Fig. 2

Physicians’ self-evaluated level of rare disease awareness. Response options for the question ‘Are you aware of rare diseases?’ ranged from 1 (‘Absolutely not’) to 5 (‘Definitely, yes’); 2 = ‘Poorly aware’, 3 = ‘Moderately aware’ and 4 = ‘Well aware’. Statistical analysis was performed with Mantel-Haenszel Chi² Test: *, significant different distribution of responses (p < 0.001) from this physician group compared to those from all other physician groups; **, significant different distribution of responses (p < 0.05) from PED compared to GP and SP child while no difference with SP adult was detected; ***, significant different distribution of responses (p < 0.05) from SP child compared to GP and PED while no difference with SP adult was detected. PED = pediatrician. SP adult = specialists treating adults (endocrinologists and neurologists). SP child = specialists treating children (pediatric endocrinologists and neurologists)