Analysis of Screening for Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the Clinical Settings

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD);adults;nurse practitioner;screening;primary care provider;School of Health Professions and Studies: Nursing

Welsh, StacyFlint ;

University of Michigan

关键词: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD);    adults;    nurse practitioner;    screening;    primary care provider;    School of Health Professions and Studies: Nursing;   

Others  :  https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/117763/Welsh.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: The Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship

【 摘 要 】

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a childhood disorder which is not outgrown. Symptoms of ADHD are now known to continue into adulthood. Children with ADHD who are managed by pediatricians until late adolescence often are unmanaged in adulthood. Extensive research indicates that childhood ADHD continues into adulthood undiagnosed and untreated by primary care providers. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the extents to which Nurse Practitioners who are primary care providers (PCP) screen for Adult ADHD, manage its care and exhibit positive or negative attitudes and perceptions toward Adult ADHD. Method: Participants were obtained through the Michigan Nurses Association by purchasing a list of practicing Nurse Practitioners within the state of Michigan. Within the list alphabetically arranged every fifth name was withdrawn and mailed a questionnaire. Nurse Practitioners were sent a questionnaire developed by the researcher to determine if Adult ADHD is being screened and diagnosed during clinical assessment. Seventy-two participants responded to the questionnaire. A tool was developed to elicit responses from the Nurse Practitioners on areas of specialty and years practicing. Five questions were specific to symptoms of Adult ADHD. The Nurse Practitioner was asked: Do you screen, diagnose, manage or refer Adult ADHD within your practice? What are the Nurse Practitioners attitudes and perceptions towards Adult ADHD? Conclusion: Results revealed PCPs has a higher educational level and number of years practicing than the Specialty group. PCPs routinely screened for Adult ADHD at a higher frequency than did Specialty providers (U = 433.5, p = .011). Most Nurse Practitioners had positive attitudes and perceptions toward Adult ADHD and were of the opinion that it was within their provider role as a Nurse Practitioner. Nurse Practitioners can take an active role in screening, diagnosing and referring adults with ADHD for treatment. A standard of practice to screen for Adult ADHD needs to be developed by primary care providers. Better screening and knowledge base is important to detect and provide intervention strategies to reduce symptoms or adult ADHD sufferers.