Improving healthcare information for young people with ADHD: perspectives from general practice.

Abstract

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder which can have poor long-term outcomes when unmanaged. Young people aged 16-25 with ADHD are often unable to access specialist healthcare as recommended by UK guidelines, due to gaps in services, poor transitional support between child and adult services, and long waiting lists. Healthcare information, which is important for condition management, may help mitigate service gaps and support thriving in people with ADHD, however little is known about provision via primary care.

Aim: To investigate experiences of information provision supporting management of young people with ADHD in general practice and explore the potential of digital resources.

Design and setting: This qualitative research comprised interviews with young people with ADHD, their supporters, and primary healthcare professionals from sites across England.

Method: Participants were recruited from five purposively sampled general practices, varying by local area characteristics. Semi-structured interviews included questions about information provision, healthcare information needs, and digital resources. Themes were generated using reflexive thematic analysis, within a critical realist framework.

Results: 20 participants were recruited (11 healthcare professionals and nine people with lived experience). Four themes were generated: lack of ADHD-specific resources, supporting patients with condition management, dedicated resources for clinicians, and digital resources enhancing care.

Conclusion: People with lived experience and healthcare professionals want better healthcare information about ADHD in general practice, including co-produced resources to support understanding and self-management. Digital resources represent a potentially cost-effective and accessible solution that is currently under-utilised.