Satisfaction with treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Patient satisfaction with treatment services is an important variable in ascertaining overall outcome; however, it is not a substitute for improving target symptoms and function. This article reviews the general determinants of satisfaction, including the effectiveness of the treatment, patient expectations, acceptability of the specific treatment, and provider factors as they apply to the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Generally, parents and teachers are more receptive to or prefer nonmedication or behavioral therapies to medication, despite the established effectiveness of medication. Children are similarly ambivalent about medication. These preferences probably result from the lower acceptability of medication treatment for ADHD. Data does not establish greater patient satisfaction with a particular medication class or formulation. However, parents and children/adolescents may prefer the newer longer-acting medications. Measuring satisfaction with ADHD treatment serves several purposes, such as identifying acceptable treatment modalities, defining patient expectations for treatment, and determining those providers that may be deficient in communicating with their clients.