Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Care Practicum
The ADHD Care Management project, located within the pediatrics department at Boston Medical Center (BMC), is a care model (based on chronic care model) that supports parents and pediatricians in determining ADHD care. Children whose pediatrician (BMC or Dorchester House) suspect ADHD refer the family to the ADHD care management team. Care managers collect information from the parents, schools, and from medical charts. This information is presented to a panel of experts (developmental specialist and pediatric psychiatrist) who make recommendations to the referring pediatrician for treatment (trial of medication, behavioral services, rule out learning disability, etc.). The care manager follows-up with the family to re-evaluate progress after services have been dispersed. The overall goal of the program is to increase ability of child to succeed, because ADHD is associated with poor academic achievement and higher unemployment rates in adulthood.