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Diagnosing and treating attentional difficulties: a nationwide survey
1Glen Acre House Child and Family Service, 21 Acre House Avenue, Lindley, Huddersfield HD3 3BB, UK.
Insights
Pediatricians and child psychiatrists show varied approaches to diagnosing and treating childhood attentional difficulties. Many are willing to prescribe stimulant medication even without a formal diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Attentional difficulties in children are a significant concern for healthcare professionals.
- Understanding the perspectives of pediatricians and child psychiatrists is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore pediatrician and child psychiatrist views on the causes, assessment, and diagnosis of attentional difficulties.
- To investigate their practices regarding stimulant medication prescription for these conditions.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was administered to 465 pediatricians and 444 child psychiatrists.
- The study achieved a 73% overall response rate.
Main Results:
- A high percentage of child psychiatrists (94%) and a notable portion of pediatricians (29%) regularly manage children with attentional difficulties.
- Significant variation exists in opinions on etiology, classification, and diagnosis.
- Over 60% of respondents indicated willingness to prescribe stimulant medication without a formal diagnosis.
- Comorbid conduct disorder and external professional/parental opinions influence treatment decisions.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians and child psychiatrists exhibit diverse approaches to addressing attentional difficulties in children.
- The findings highlight variability in diagnostic and treatment practices within these professional groups.
Aims:
To ascertain from paediatricians and child psychiatrists their views regarding the aetiology, assessment, and diagnosis of attentional difficulties in children, and the prescribing of stimulant medication for such difficulties.
Methods:
Using a questionnaire devised by the authors, 465 paediatricians and 444 child psychiatrists were surveyed.
Results:
The overall response rate was 73%. Some 94% of child psychiatrists and 29% of paediatricians routinely dealt with attentional difficulties. Views on aetiology, classification, and diagnosis were varied. More than 60% of both groups were prepared to prescribe stimulant medication without a formal diagnosis being made. Comorbid conduct disorder and the views of other professionals and of parents have an impact on practice.
Conclusions:
This survey demonstrates that there is a range of approaches to attentional difficulties by both paediatricians and child psychiatrists.
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