Abstract
BackgroundAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood psychiatric disorder. The management of ADHD has recently been highlighted. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines network (SIGN) have both produced management guidelines. Doctors working within Primary Care in countries such as the United States play an important role in the management of ADHD. In the United Kingdom however the role of doctors in primary care in the management of ADHD, both individually and within shared care protocols, is only now being identified and defined. Is this role for Primary Care likely to be acceptable and effective?DiscussionThere is some evidence that doctors working within Primary Care in the United Kingdom are willing to follow up children on medication for ADHD and carry out monitoring of physical status. However many feel unconfident in the management of ADHD and most have received little or no training in child psychiatry. There are also concerns that adverse media reports will have an undue influence on the attitudes of doctors within primary care to families with children suffering from ADHD.SummaryThere are important barriers to be tackled before shared care protocols for ADHD can be successfully implemented in the United Kingdom. Tailored information about ADHD needs to be provided to doctors in primary care. Clear dialogue between planners and healthcare professionals from both primary and secondary care is essential to ensure that service delivery is acceptable to healthcare providers, tailored to their skills and is adequately resourced.
Highlights
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood psychiatric disorder
Summary: There are important barriers to be tackled before shared care protocols for ADHD can be successfully implemented in the United Kingdom
Tailored information about ADHD needs to be provided to doctors in primary care
Summary
Current recommendations are that medication should be initiated by child and adolescent psychiatrists or paediatricians or learning disability specialists with particular expertise [4,5]. Planners need to ensure that roles and responsibilities of different healthcare sectors in monitoring children with ADHD on medication are clearly demarcated and acceptable to the professionals concerned When these clear roles have been identified, it is important to ensure that professionals possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to effectively undertake the assigned role. To ensure that patient care is not compromised by the introduction of shared care protocols it is important that there is a clear dialogue between planners and healthcare professionals from both primary and secondary care This is necessary to ensure mechanisms are in place for this care to be undertaken effectively and properly organised. Declaration of competing interests AT (Anita Thapar) has organised academic meetings that have received sponsorship from Celltech (manufacturers of Equasym) and Janssen Cilag (manufacturers of Concerta)
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