Experiences of adolescents and young adults with ADHD in Hong Kong: treatment services and clinical management.
BACKGROUND
Specialist services for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood in Hong Kong are yet to be developed. This study aims to explore the experiences of adolescents and young adults with ADHD in accessing treatment and services, coping with ADHD-related impairment, and their expectations of future treatment in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Qualitative interviews were conducted with a semi-structured guide. Forty young adult patients aged between 16 and 23 were included in the study. The interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and anonymised. Data were analysed with a thematic approach based on key principles of Grounded Theory.


RESULTS
Four meta-themes were developed: Accessing ADHD diagnosis and treatment services; ADHD-related impairment; Experience of ADHD treatments; and Attitudes and expectations of future ADHD treatment. The role of parents and schools were highly significant in accessing services for patients diagnosed with ADHD in childhood. In general, ADHD affected every aspect of patients' lives including academic outcome, employment, family and social relationships. Medications were the principal treatment for ADHD amongst the interviewees and were reported to be generally effective. Half of the patients received non-pharmacological treatments in childhood but these effects were reported to be temporary. There was general consensus that the needs of patients with ADHD could not be met by the current service. In particular, there is a lack of specialist service for adults with ADHD, follow-up by different clinicians, and insufficient provision of non-pharmacological treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that further development of specialist ADHD services and non-pharmacological options for young adults are essential to meet their diverse needs with a holistic approach.
Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. kerryckw@hku.hk.
Kerry K W
KK
Cheung
Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. wongick@hku.hk.
Ian C K
IC
Wong
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China. patricip@hku.hk.
Patrick
P
Ip
Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Team, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China. chanklp@ha.org.hk.
Phyllis K L
PK
Chan
Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Team, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China. lhy912@ha.org.hk.
Candy H Y
CH
Lin
Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. healthcare.lisa@gmail.com.
Lisa Y L
LY
Wong
Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. ewchan@hku.hk.
Esther W
EW
Chan
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004651:Employment; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D011580:Psychological Techniques; D012574:Schools; D012944:Social Support; D014937:Work; D055815:Young Adult