General practitioners' (GP) attitudes and knowledge about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Ireland.


Journal

Irish journal of medical science
ISSN: 1863-4362
Titre abrégé: Ir J Med Sci
Pays: Ireland
ID NLM: 7806864

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
Feb 2019
Historique:
received: 15 02 2018
accepted: 31 03 2018
pubmed: 15 4 2018
medline: 27 3 2019
entrez: 15 4 2018
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

ADHD is the most frequent reason for attendance at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in recognising symptoms, referring for assessment and supporting ongoing treatment. However, there is an ambiguous understanding of ADHD among GPs, and different attitudes regarding the validity of ADHD as a construct. The present study aims to explore and identify GPs attitudes and beliefs about ADHD in the Irish context, and to find out the association of those attitudes with other factors. Representative sample of qualified GPs registered to the Irish Medical Directory. The survey included questions about GPs' practice, attitudes towards ADHD, knowledge of symptoms and workup for ADHD, previous training and personal experience of ADHD. A hundred and forty GPs participated (response rate 28%). Factor analysis indicated 58.8% expressed a positive attitude towards ADHD. Those who have positive attitudes were more likely to be between 36 and 55 years old, seeing fewer children with suspected ADHD per year and working as part of a primary care team. Years of practice, personal experience of ADHD, training and knowledge in ADHD and access to CAMHS or psychology were not significantly related to either positive or negative ADHD attitudes. Despite the high rates of ADHD among children, a slim majority of Irish GPs have positive attitudes towards ADHD. This could lead to undiagnosed or misdiagnosed cases. Strategies need to be considered to address this.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
ADHD is the most frequent reason for attendance at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in recognising symptoms, referring for assessment and supporting ongoing treatment. However, there is an ambiguous understanding of ADHD among GPs, and different attitudes regarding the validity of ADHD as a construct. The present study aims to explore and identify GPs attitudes and beliefs about ADHD in the Irish context, and to find out the association of those attitudes with other factors.
METHODS METHODS
Representative sample of qualified GPs registered to the Irish Medical Directory. The survey included questions about GPs' practice, attitudes towards ADHD, knowledge of symptoms and workup for ADHD, previous training and personal experience of ADHD.
RESULTS RESULTS
A hundred and forty GPs participated (response rate 28%). Factor analysis indicated 58.8% expressed a positive attitude towards ADHD. Those who have positive attitudes were more likely to be between 36 and 55 years old, seeing fewer children with suspected ADHD per year and working as part of a primary care team. Years of practice, personal experience of ADHD, training and knowledge in ADHD and access to CAMHS or psychology were not significantly related to either positive or negative ADHD attitudes.
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Despite the high rates of ADHD among children, a slim majority of Irish GPs have positive attitudes towards ADHD. This could lead to undiagnosed or misdiagnosed cases. Strategies need to be considered to address this.

Identifiants

pubmed: 29654530
doi: 10.1007/s11845-018-1804-3
pii: 10.1007/s11845-018-1804-3
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

231-239

Références

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pubmed: 10750228
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pubmed: 16790000
J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2006 Jul;47(7):744-50
pubmed: 16790009
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pubmed: 17541055
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pubmed: 17636356
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pubmed: 18202982
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pubmed: 20815868
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pubmed: 21532069
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pubmed: 22133283
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pubmed: 23179665
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pubmed: 23893531
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pubmed: 25263763
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pubmed: 27183902
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pubmed: 27605006
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pubmed: 27821518
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pubmed: 30189470

Auteurs

Dimitrios Adamis (D)

Sligo Mental Health Services, Clarion Rd, Sligo, Ireland. dimaadamis@yahoo.com.
Research and Academic Institute of Athens, Athens, Greece. dimaadamis@yahoo.com.
University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. dimaadamis@yahoo.com.

Mimi Tatlow-Golden (M)

The Open University Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK.

Blánaid Gavin (B)

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland.

Fiona McNicholas (F)

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland.

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