Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common but complex neurodevelopmental condition, impacting over 5% of people globally. (1) Due to its nuances and the differing ways that it affects people’s lives, ADHD treatment requires an approach that considers various aspects of treatment care and management.
Recognising the need for a range of treatment models to maximise effectiveness, nurses, with their specialised skills, have become central in providing supportive ADHD care, ensuring that people receive the right management and assistance after diagnosis. This development enables a highly caring approach that puts the well-being of each person at the forefront.
Understanding ADHD and Its Diagnosis Challenges
ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis; it presents in various ways, each with its own unique set of challenges:
- Primarily Inattentive Presentation: People often find it challenging to organise or complete tasks, pay attention to details, or follow instructions or conversations. They’re easily distracted and forget details of daily routines.
- Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: People with this subtype feel restless, finding it hard to keep quiet or remain seated. They’re often on the go, talking excessively, and are prone to interrupting others.
- Combined Presentation: This type combines symptoms of the above two, where individuals display both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
Such diversity in presentation makes ADHD diagnosis complicated. Common misconceptions, such as seeing ADHD merely as a lack of discipline or a result of poor parenting, further complicates the matter, which highlights the need for sensitivity and understanding when offering support to patients and their families.
The Evolution of a Nurse-led Model for ADHD
In private ADHD care, a nurse-led model has transformed the experience for many people and families. Gone are the days of navigating a labyrinth of faces and services, waiting for appointments, and seeing legions of different workers. Now, one dedicated nurse can stand by your side, providing a consistent source of support and guidance throughout the journey.
This model creates a more cohesive integration between work, education, and mental health, ensuring that people receive well-rounded care, especially if they’re children or teens transitioning into adulthood. Now, we can access a simpler, more personalised approach to ADHD care, enhancing the overall quality of the treatment received and making the pathway through care less daunting and more navigable.
Core Components and Benefits of the Nurse-led ADHD Care Model
By utilising diagnostic tools like the Qb test, nurses can make more accurate diagnoses and nuanced adjustments to medications. This individual-centric approach ensures that pharmacological interventions are tailored to meet the specific needs and conditions of each patient, leading to enhanced overall treatment effectiveness.
Nurses play a pivotal role in educating patients and their families, and advocating for their needs. Drawing insights from various studies, including one from Sweden, (2) this model promotes a more rounded understanding of ADHD, addresses diverse needs, nurtures interpersonal relationships, and fosters environments that contribute positively to patients’ overall well-being.
Benefits of the Private Nurse-led Model
- Continuity of Care: Having a dedicated nurse ensures that patients receive care that is both consistent and personalised. Having access to a private nurse also ensures that people are more likely to adhere to taking medication, a challenge commonly faced by a significant percentage of people with this condition. (3)
- Streamlined Processes: The nurse-led model aims to simplify the care process, cutting down unnecessary delays, reducing waiting times, and ensuring that patients receive timely interventions and support, which is highly important in managing ADHD effectively.
- Holistic Approach: This allows for a more encompassing view of the person’s needs and potential challenges. It ensures that the care strategies are both comprehensive and precise, focusing not just on the symptoms but on the individual as a whole.
- Comfort and Convenience: Nurses are able to see ADHD patients in the comfort of their homes, creating an environment where people feel more at ease and less pathologised. It reduces the disruptions to patient’s daily activities and ensures that the care process is as smooth and non-intrusive as possible.
- Perceptions of Approachability: Some people, particularly children, might find doctors or psychiatrists intimidating or overly clinical. Nurses are often perceived as more approachable and caring, making people more comfortable and willing to engage in their treatment processes.
Nurse-Led Care for ADHD – What The Studies Show
There is a plethora of evidence that shows how effective nurse-led treatments can be for both children and adults with ADHD, leading to improved clinical outcomes:
- In the UK, care delivered by nurses was found to be as effective as that delivered by doctors, even in the more complex ADHD cases. (4)
- Schools reported benefits when a specific named nurse was provided as a contact for managing a child with ADHD. (5)
- Patients value the convenience of home visits and longer, more frequent appointments provided by nurses compared to doctors. (6)
- High levels of satisfaction in nurse prescribing within UK mental health settings were noted among clients, which includes patients and carers. (7)
Transform Your ADHD Care Experience with Assured Healthcare and Wellness
Experience a transformative approach to ADHD management with Assured Healthcare and Wellness. Our experienced nursing team offers a care model that provides consistency, personalisation, and compassionate expertise to meet your specific needs and enhance your treatment journey.
Opt for a positive change; choose Assured Healthcare and Wellness for your supportive companion in ADHD care.
Sources:
- https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/adhd-statistics/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32493144/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20107302/
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05602.x
- https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/341771/
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2850.2009.01517.x
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12039
