Telemedicine in the Management of ADHD: Literature Review of Telemedicine in ADHD
Thomas Spencer, Elizabeth Noyes, Joseph Biederman
https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054719859081
Commentary* by Dr. Margaret Weiss: Telehealth would make it possible to bring tertiary level consultation for ADHD to rural areas. In Canada, this has important implications for improving access to care.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Telemedicine has been used successfully in several medical specialties with favorable patient outcomes, satisfaction, in a cost-effective manner. However, its use in the context of ADHD remains unclear. Our main aim was to investigate what is known about the use of telemedicine in ADHD.
Method: We conducted a systematic search of the literature assessing telemedicine in ADHD in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Medline. Included were original articles published in English with the main aim to assess the use of telemedicine in ADHD.
Results: Only 11 articles met our inclusion and exclusion criteria, coming from only three systematic trials of telemedicine in ADHD. The studies suggest that telemedicine is valued by its users, is well accepted, and is associated with improved outcomes.
Conclusion: The limited research indicates that telemedicine has potential to expand the delivery of clinical services to patients with ADHD. More work is needed to further evaluate this finding.
* Abstracts are selected for their clinical relevance by Dr. Margaret Weiss, Director of Clinical Research, Child Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard University. Her commentary reflects her own opinion. It is not approved or necessarily representative of the CADDRA board.