Primary Care Resource and Referral Guide for Children 4-11 Years of Age with ADHD

• Main Author: Jenzen, Bonita Jo
• Format: Others
• Published: North Dakota State University 2018
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10365/27600

The practice-improvement project (PIP) assessed five family nurse practitioners and one pediatrician regarding the use and evaluation of a community treatment guideline packet. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed, chronic, neurobehavioral disorder, and high-quality, evidence-based management is associated with improved outcomes. Research has shown an increase in the diagnosis rate for ADHD, and the need for intensified clinical management of children, 4-11 years of age, with ADHD. Without proper evaluation or management of ADHD symptoms, the child may continue to struggle throughout life. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) employed in rural communities may be the first point of contact for children, 4-11 years of age, who present with ADHD symptoms. Providers need to be knowledgeable about ADHD, the treatment guidelines, community resources, and the proper referrals within the community. The PIP was designed to assist providers in 5 Minnesota communities who see 4-11 yearold children with ADHD symptoms. The PIP design included the creation and presentation of a treatment-guideline packet for 5 FNPs and 1 pediatrician in the rural communities. The providers volunteered to utilize and evaluate the packet for 6 weeks in January and February, 2014. To evaluate the treatment-guideline packet, a post-questionnaire was completed by each provider who participated. The practice improvement project results indicated that 100% (n=6) of the providers felt that the treatment-guideline packet was helpful and would benefit practice. Providers felt the packet addressed a practice need by containing both a community resource/referral algorithm and an evidence-based ADHD process-of-care algorithm. Three-fourths of the providers felt that using the Vanderbilt Assessment Scales for diagnosing children would be a helpful addition to iv the packet to assist with diagnosing ADHD in children of this age group. Overall, providers felt that being more aware of the potential referrals and resources in the community would allow a multi-modal approach of care, therefore improving their management of children, ages 4-11, with ADHD.