Overview

Pediatricians and primary care providers (PCPs) are the first-line clinicians for children, adolescents, and young adults. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders within this population is high, with depression, anxiety and ADHD being most common. The morbidity and mortality of these disorders is significant, however they remain under-treated. Given the limitations of referral to specialty care, PCPs are tasked with managing these illnesses. Both in our experience working in a consultation center and based on the literature, PCPs face many barriers to doing so, including limitations in knowledge about and comfort in prescribing psychiatric medications.

ADHD is diagnosed in approximately 8% of school aged children and accounts for as many as 50% of referrals to pediatric mental health services. As primary care physician (PCPs) are likely the first individuals to encounter these patients, PCPs should be able to initiate evaluation of ADHD in any pediatric patient that presents with academic or behavioral problems. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended that the PCP should be able prescribe FDA- approved medications for ADHD in children and adolescents and titrate to maximum benefit. Despite these recommendations, a survey from American Academy of Pediatrics revealed only 80 % of PCPs felt responsible for identification of ADHD and 70% believed they were responsible for management and treatment.

To Register

Click on the link to register https://forms.office.com/r/M56M42LeWB

Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participants should be able to:

• Diagnose, assess, and monitor ADHD in children and adolescents
• Describe the evidence based psychopharmacologic treatments for pediatric ADHD