Awareness of ADHD in primary care

Abstract

The proposed research investigates access to care for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) within primary care settings by conducting an exploration of awareness and understanding of ADHD in general practitioners (GPs). ADHD is a developmental disorder affecting approximately 5% of children in the United Kingdom (NICE, 2013) with children experiencing strong cognitive, behavioural and physical impairment (Wright et al., 2015, Klasen and Goodman, 2000). ADHD strongly affects the functioning and development of school aged children and often carries on into adulthood. While many evidence based treatments can help manage ADHD, studies have shown that children with ADHD are under diagnosed (Bussing et al., 2003, Sayal et al., 2006a). Although many factors influence service utilisation such as parents and teachers’ perception or comorbid disorders (Sayal et al., 2010a, Sayal et al., 2006b, Sayal et al., 2003), the first port of call in UK healthcare is primary care and GPs who are gatekeepers to secondary care and diagnosis. However, limited recognition by GPs is a primary barrier to diagnosis (Sayal et al., 2006b, Sayal et al., 2015, Sayal et al., 2002) due to the lack of accurate knowledge and understanding of the disorder; scepticism and misconceptions still strongly present in health professionals (Angermeyer and Dietrich, 2006, Throckmorton, 2000) and stigmas towards ADHD potentially at the source of the condition being significantly underdiagnosed (Asherson et al., 2012, Bussing et al., 2003). A recent systematic review (French et al, in press) highlighted three main areas affecting GPs recognition of ADHD; lack of education and awareness, misconceptions and difficulties in communicating with third parties. Understanding the beliefs surrounding the disorder is crucial as it can help facilitate access to care.The proposed study will aim to explore the efficacy of a psychoeducation online program to enhance understanding and awareness of ADHD using a randomised control trial design and interviews. The psychoeducation program is an online e-learning resource, freely accessible with information and link relevant to ADHD. The content was designed by the PI and the CI and the technological part of it was created by the Health E-Learning and Media (HELM) Team at the University of Nottingham. The content and format was also coproduced with a group of local general practitioners and health professionals.

Development and evaluation of an online education tool on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for General Practitioners: the important contribution of co-production

“…The selection of these topics was guided by the findings of three previously conducted studies in this area (7,18,19). These studies highlighted specific barriers in GPs understanding of ADHD, a summary of the main barriers are presented in Table 1.…”