Abstract
Aims and MethodThere is poorer control of hyperactivity symptoms in community clinics than research settings, and difficulty in detecting such symptoms without standardised measures. Hyperkinetic children (n=29) were evaluated at follow-up using the parental version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and, independently, routine clinic reports to test the value of a parental questionnaire.ResultsThe parental SDQ identified symptoms in more patients (25, 86% v. 13, 45%), but high levels of symptoms did not necessarily imply impairment. Even clinically identified hyperactivity provoked no change in treatment.Clinical ImplicationsParental questionnaires alone are unlikely to improve clinic practice. Research is needed into what factors influence clinical decisions regarding treatment maintenance for hyperkinesis, and the adaptation of structured protocols from major research trials should be considered.
Highlights
Even clinically identified hyperactivity provoked no change in treatment
The audit standards set were that no child reviewed should have significant hyperactivity on either clinic report or the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Goodman, 1999), and there should be no difference between patients of the two psychiatrists
The questionnaire was sent to 50 families but returned by only 29 (58%); the response probably reflects data collection having to be undertaken during the school summer holidays, which prevented the concurrent use of the teachers’ version of the SDQ
Summary
There is poorer control of hyperactivity symptoms in community clinics than research settings, and difficulty in detecting such symptoms without standardised measures. Hyperkinetic children (n=29) were evaluated at follow-up using the parental version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and, independently, routine clinic reports to test the value of a parental questionnaire
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