ADHD assessment information in Australia: A secret shopper study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Healthcare Consumer Information

Background:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis requires comprehensive assessment.
• Consumers often lack sufficient information to evaluate the quality of ADHD assessments before engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the availability of ADHD assessment information provided by Australian healthcare professionals.
• To determine if consumers can ascertain the use of best-practice assessment methods prior to booking.

Main Methods:

• A secret shopper design was employed to contact 736 psychologists, psychiatrists, and paediatricians across Australia.
• Information requested included assessment measures, informant use, and session requirements for adult and child ADHD evaluations.

Main Results:

• 56% of providers refused to disclose assessment details before an appointment.
• Psychologists were more forthcoming with information than psychiatrists or paediatricians.
• Most providers did not specify the use of multiple informants in their ADHD assessments.

Conclusions:

• Consumers face significant barriers in accessing essential information about ADHD assessments.
• The lack of transparency limits patients' ability to confirm adherence to best-practice diagnostic procedures.
• Improved information disclosure is needed to empower consumers in their healthcare decisions.