Improving Care for ADHD in Primary Care Pediatrics

Principal Investigator

Funding

  • National Institute of Mental Health
    • 10/2002 - 9/2007; $894,876

Project Description

This K08 research project proposes to investigate mechanisms to improve the identification and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in pediatric primary care settings. The project will pilot test strategies for implementing guidelines for the identification and treatment of ADHD in primary care offices in the San Diego area affiliated with four different health plans.

Research goals

  • Assess the feasibility of protocols for the identification and treatment of ADHD.
  • Identify characteristics that impact implementation at the micro (physician, child, family, program) and the macro (office system, health system) levels.
  • Generate preliminary outcome measures with children and families.

An additional component includes the use of qualitative methods with families and children to determine factors that may impact racial/ethnic disparities with respect to access to and use of services in primary care settings.

Help4Kids with ADHD

A website has also been established to provide basic information about ADHD to families, clinicians, and teachers.