OBJECTIVE: Data on the quality and structure of outpatient care for adults with ADHD in Germany are scarce. The study describes the reality of care and identifies possible measures for improvement.METHOD: A complete survey of adults ? 18 years of age with a diagnosis of ADHD (ICD-Code F90.0) covered by statutory health insurance was carried out in the outpatient setting in the German Free State of Bavaria in 2012.RESULTS: The analysis revealed a diagnostic prevalence of ADHD in adults in Bavaria of 0.1 %, which was lower than expected based on ADHD prevalence estimates in the general population (about 3 %). Patients were diagnosed by specialists for CNS disorders and by general practitioners. About 30 % of patients received a medication approved for the treatment of ADHD, and these were in approx. 75 % of cases prescribed by specialists for CNS disorders. About 50 % of the patients received psychotherapy.CONCLUSION: General practitioners play an important role for medical care of adult patients with ADHD. Continuous medical education programmes and collaboration between general practitioners and specialists is an urgent imperative for improving outpatient care of ADHD in adults.
Adult Ambulatory Care