Abstract
BackgroundAttention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder starting in childhood that may persist into adulthood. It can be managed through carefully monitored medication and nonpharmacological interventions. Access to care for children at risk of ADHD varies both within and between countries. A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate the research evidence related to factors which influence children accessing services for ADHD.MethodStudies investigating access to care for children at risk of ADHD were identified through electronic searches of the international peer‐reviewed and grey literature. Databases were searched from inception till 30th April 2012. This identified 23,156 articles which were subjected to three levels of screening (title, abstract and full text) by a minimum of two independent reviewers. Due to the heterogeneity in the study designs, a narrative approach was used to present the findings.ResultsTwenty‐seven papers met the inclusion criteria; these were grouped into four main themes, with some papers being included in more than one. These were wider determinants (10 papers); identification of need (9 papers); entry and continuity of care (13 papers) and interventions to improve access (4 papers). Barriers and facilitators to access were found to operate at the individual, organisational and societal level. Limited evidence of effective interventions to improve access was identified.ConclusionThis review explored the multilayered obstacles in the pathway to care for children at risk of ADHD and the lack of evidence‐based interventions designed to address these issues, thereby indicating areas for service development and further evaluative research.
Highlights
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder beginning in childhood and often persisting into adulthood (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
The majority of the 27 included papers focused on the characterisation of existing barriers and facilitators within the pathway to care and unmet need within the population, with only four studies investigating interventions aimed at improving access to care for children at risk of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
This literature review has utilised a social-ecological view of implementation and the Gulliford et al (2001) framework to identify a complicated network of actors involved in accessing care for ADHD
Summary
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder beginning in childhood and often persisting into adulthood (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder starting in childhood that may persist into adulthood It can be managed through carefully monitored medication and nonpharmacological interventions. Method: Studies investigating access to care for children at risk of ADHD were identified through electronic searches of the international peer-reviewed and grey literature. Results: Twenty-seven papers met the inclusion criteria; these were grouped into four main themes, with some papers being included in more than one These were wider determinants (10 papers); identification of need (9 papers); entry and continuity of care (13 papers) and interventions to improve access (4 papers). Conclusion: This review explored the multilayered obstacles in the pathway to care for children at risk of ADHD and the lack of evidence-based interventions designed to address these issues, thereby indicating areas for service development and further evaluative research.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
