title: Pediatricians' knowledge and attitudes concerning diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders. A national survey approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine pediatricians' knowledge and attitudes concerning the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred eighty pediatricians comprising respondents from a random sample of 1000 members of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pediatricians' perceptions of diagnostic modalities, 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. Pediatricians reported common parent and child misperceptions about ADD and ADHD treatment. Results suggest a wide range of reported physician behavior with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of ADD and ADHD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater attention could be paid to providing accurate information in medical and educator training with respect to the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of ADD and ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Group of Riverside, Calif, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kwasman
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tinsley
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lepper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D010389:Pemoline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012494:Sampling Studies
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate; D010389:Pemoline; D003000:Clonidine