ADHD and transition to adult services - the experience of community paediatricians

Background Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is now recognized as a disorder that can persist into adulthood, and therefore, there is a need for transitional care. Aim To find out about the experiences of community pediatricians across the UK when transferring patients with ADHD to adult care. Method A questionnaire was sent out to 100 consultant community pediatricians asking about their experiences. Results The majority of respondents thought a proportion of their patients would require referral to adult services and only 22% were aware of a dedicated clinic for adults in their area. Many had tried to address the issue locally often with little success. Conclusion There is a gap in provision of services for young people with ADHD when they leave pediatric care, with many pediatricians struggling to find appropriate ongoing care for their patients. Commissioners need to address the problem.