The RACGP has highlighted that GPs could play a larger role in ADHD diagnosis and treatment to improve affordability and access to care for families.
In a submission to the Senate’s Barriers to consistent, timely and best practice assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inquiry, the RACGP said that long waits for specialists and high costs were a significant barrier for patients living with ADHD, particularly adult patients.
They have called for:
- support for an expanded role in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD for GPs with an interest in this area
- consistent rules across all states and territories on which clinicians can diagnose and prescribe stimulant medications
- funding to support effective shared models of care and appropriate funding for long consultations.
Most public sector mental health services do not provide ADHD services, resulting in an over-reliance on private sector care and services.
Long wait times and prohibitive costs are typical, with one RACGP member telling the college it would cost their patient over $700 for a telehealth ADHD diagnosis from a specialist, though costs of around $3000 have been reported.
A 2019 Deloitte Access Economics study estimated ADHD cost Australia $20.4 billion that year, comprising $12.8 billion in financial costs and $7.6 billion in wellbeing costs.
RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins said too many patients were missing out on care, and GPs could increase their role in the diagnosis and management of ADHD to improve access.
“Costs potentially in the thousands of dollars, even interstate travel, for patients who may have ADHD show that not only is access too hard, but that people are desperate for healthcare in this area,” she said.
“The recently published ADHD clinical guidelines have given GPs a comprehensive, evidence-based resource to guide the diagnosis and management of ADHD.
“With appropriate support, GPs can step up to help patients, psychiatrists, and paediatricians to diagnose and manage ADHD. This will require appropriate training, funding, regulatory change for prescribing and the development of shared care arrangements between GPs and other health professionals.”
More patients are seeking referrals to a specialist for ADHD diagnosis, with 78% respondents to an RACGP poll in March 2023 saying they had seen a substantial increase in the number of patient inquiries about referrals in the previous 12 months, and 16% reporting a slight increase.
“Some GPs have already taken on an increased role in diagnosing and treating ADHD, but more support and regulatory change is needed,” Dr Higgins said.
“At the moment, it’s a postcode lottery. Patients would benefit from consistent rules across all states and territories describing the clinicians that are authorised to diagnose and prescribe stimulant medications.”