Main Article Content
A comparison between South African psychiatrists' and paediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and current practices regarding the management of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the
knowledge, attitudes and current practices of psychiatrists and paediatricians in South Africa regarding the
management of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), to
determine if there are significant differences between them. Three hundred and
forty psychiatrists and 517 paediatricians were
identified from the address list of the Health Professionals Council of South Africa.
Each specialist was sent a survey questionnaire with a letter explaining the
objectives and aims of the research. The questionnaire explored four themes:
demographic data; attitudes to caring for children with ADHD; management of
these children and knowledge about the use of stimulants. One hundred and
seventy three (57.6%) psychiatrists and 316 (61%) paediatricians
responded. Of these 145 and 278 respectively were practising
medicine, and 51.7% (75) of the psychiatrists and 61% (169) of the paediatricians indicated that they manage children with
ADHD. The results of the survey indicate that paediatricians
and psychiatrists have adequate knowledge of ADHD and its management. Possibly
because of the organisation of their practices
psychiatrists were not as concerned as paediatricians
about the time spent on each patient, but they were less likely to refer to
other professionals. On the other hand, paediatricians
had more of an interdisciplinary approach to the management of children with
ADHD, but found them time consuming, remuneration inadequate and had little
time to prepare extensive reports or liase with other
professionals or schools. Psychiatrists appear to function within a neuro-biological model and have more knowledge on neuro-pharmacology and physiology. Paediatricians
have a greater educational and family awareness, possibly reflecting
differences in training. Both groups use methylphenidate as the medication of
choice and both have adequate knowledge of its benefits, side effects and
contra-indications.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2004, 16(1): 11–18
knowledge, attitudes and current practices of psychiatrists and paediatricians in South Africa regarding the
management of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), to
determine if there are significant differences between them. Three hundred and
forty psychiatrists and 517 paediatricians were
identified from the address list of the Health Professionals Council of South Africa.
Each specialist was sent a survey questionnaire with a letter explaining the
objectives and aims of the research. The questionnaire explored four themes:
demographic data; attitudes to caring for children with ADHD; management of
these children and knowledge about the use of stimulants. One hundred and
seventy three (57.6%) psychiatrists and 316 (61%) paediatricians
responded. Of these 145 and 278 respectively were practising
medicine, and 51.7% (75) of the psychiatrists and 61% (169) of the paediatricians indicated that they manage children with
ADHD. The results of the survey indicate that paediatricians
and psychiatrists have adequate knowledge of ADHD and its management. Possibly
because of the organisation of their practices
psychiatrists were not as concerned as paediatricians
about the time spent on each patient, but they were less likely to refer to
other professionals. On the other hand, paediatricians
had more of an interdisciplinary approach to the management of children with
ADHD, but found them time consuming, remuneration inadequate and had little
time to prepare extensive reports or liase with other
professionals or schools. Psychiatrists appear to function within a neuro-biological model and have more knowledge on neuro-pharmacology and physiology. Paediatricians
have a greater educational and family awareness, possibly reflecting
differences in training. Both groups use methylphenidate as the medication of
choice and both have adequate knowledge of its benefits, side effects and
contra-indications.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2004, 16(1): 11–18
