Evolving Adult ADHD Care: Preparatory Evaluation of a Prototype Digital Service Model Innovation for ADHD Care

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2024-05, Vol.21 (5), p.582
• Main Authors: Patrickson, Bronwin, Shams, Lida, Fouyaxis, John, Strobel, Jörg, Schubert, Klaus Oliver, Musker, Mike, Bidargaddi, Niranjan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - therapy; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Australia; Clinical outcomes; Consumers; Decision support systems; Design; Female; Health services; Humans; Hyperactivity; Impulsivity; Innovations; Male; Medical diagnosis; Medical personnel; Mental disorders; Mental health; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Psychiatrists; Smartphones; Stakeholders; Systematic review; Telemedicine
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050582

Given the prevalence of ADHD and the gaps in ADHD care in Australia, this study investigates the critical barriers and driving forces for innovation. It does so by conducting a preparatory evaluation of an ADHD prototype digital service innovation designed to help streamline ADHD care and empower individual self-management. Semi-structured interviews with ADHD care consumers/participants and practitioners explored their experiences and provided feedback on a mobile self-monitoring app and related service innovations. Interview transcripts were double coded to explore thematic barriers and the enablers for better ADHD care. Fifteen interviews (9 consumers, 6 practitioners) revealed barriers to better ADHD care for consumers (ignorance and prejudice, trust, impatience) and for practitioners (complexity, sustainability). Enablers for consumers included validation/empowerment, privacy, and security frameworks, tailoring, and access. Practitioners highlighted the value of transparency, privacy and security frameworks, streamlined content, connected care between services, and the tailoring of broader metrics. A consumer-centred approach to digital health service innovation, featuring streamlined, private, and secure solutions with enhanced mobile tools proves instrumental in bridging gaps in ADHD care in Australia. These innovations should help to address the gaps in ADHD care in Australia. These innovations should encompass integrated care, targeted treatment outcome data, and additional lifestyle support, whilst recognising the tensions between customised functionalities and streamlined displays.