Natalie Colaneri1, Sarah Keim2, Andrew Adesman3. 1. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, USA. Electronic address: nataliecolaneri@gmail.com. 2. Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, USA. Electronic address: sarah.keim@nationwidechildrens.org. 3. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, USA. Electronic address: aadesman@northwell.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Recent studies report that adolescents misuse and divert ADHD stimulants. This study evaluates the extent to which physicians educate adolescents with ADHD about stimulant misuse and diversion (M/D). METHODS: Child/adolescent psychiatrists (CAP), child neurologists (CN), and developmental-behavioral pediatricians (DBP) in the US completed a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were performed on the final sample (n=826); multivariate regressions were performed to identify education practice differences. RESULTS: Only 46% and 44% of physicians educate patients "often" or "very often" on health risks and legal consequences, respectively, of stimulant M/D. CAP are more likely to educate on health and legal consequences than CN, and more likely to educate on legal consequences than DBP. Compared to physicians who prescribe stimulants to 1-10 patients (low prescribers), medium prescribers (11-30 patients) and high prescribers (30+ patients) are more likely to educate about M/D. 60% of physicians counsel patients at least "often" about M/D in a pre-college appointment; 8% have written materials regarding M/D available. CONCLUSIONS: Many physcians currently don't educate adolescent patients with ADHD often enough about M/D. CN and DBP, and low prescribers, are less likely to educate about M/D. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Physicians who prescribe stimulants must educate patients more often to prevent stimulant M/D.
OBJECTIVES: Recent studies report that adolescents misuse and divert ADHD stimulants. This study evaluates the extent to which physicians educate adolescents with ADHD about stimulant misuse and diversion (M/D). METHODS:Child/adolescent psychiatrists (CAP), child neurologists (CN), and developmental-behavioral pediatricians (DBP) in the US completed a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were performed on the final sample (n=826); multivariate regressions were performed to identify education practice differences. RESULTS: Only 46% and 44% of physicians educate patients "often" or "very often" on health risks and legal consequences, respectively, of stimulant M/D. CAP are more likely to educate on health and legal consequences than CN, and more likely to educate on legal consequences than DBP. Compared to physicians who prescribe stimulants to 1-10 patients (low prescribers), medium prescribers (11-30 patients) and high prescribers (30+ patients) are more likely to educate about M/D. 60% of physicians counsel patients at least "often" about M/D in a pre-college appointment; 8% have written materials regarding M/D available. CONCLUSIONS: Many physcians currently don't educate adolescent patients with ADHD often enough about M/D. CN and DBP, and low prescribers, are less likely to educate about M/D. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Physicians who prescribe stimulants must educate patients more often to prevent stimulant M/D.