PEDIATRICIANS KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES CONCERNING DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ATTENTION-DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVITY DISORDERS - A NATIONAL SURVEY APPROACH

Objective: To examine pediatricians' knowledge and attitudes concernin g the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). Design: Cross-sectio nal survey. Setting: United States. Participants: Three hundred eighty pediatricians comprising respondents from a random sample of 1000 mem bers of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Interventions: None. Measu rements/Main Results: Pediatricians' perceptions of diagnostic modalit ies, child and family communication concerning ADD and ADHD diagnosis and treatment, and a variety of treatment issues were assessed in this study. Findings indicate that methylphenidate (Ritalin) hydrochloride is the most prescribed medication for treatment of ADD and ADHD. Pedi atricians reported common parent and child misperceptions about ADD an d ADHD treatment. Results suggest a wide range of reported physician b ehavior with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of ADD and ADHD. C onclusion: Greater attention could be paid to providing accurate infor mation in medical and educator training with respect to the cause, dia gnosis, and treatment of ADD and ADHD.