Information needs of parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the information needs of parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey of parents recruited from pediatric hospital clinics, support groups, and newspaper advertisements in Victoria, Australia, was undertaken. Parents completed a questionnaire covering information sources accessed, the quality of this information, the information content they considered important and their preferred information modes.

RESULTS

Survey data were collected from 99 parents. Parents most frequently accessed information from pediatricians (89%), books (78%), general practitioners (65%), and schools (61%). Pediatricians were rated highest as a useful, trusted, easy-to-understand, and up-to-date information source. Parents placed most importance on causes and symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Parents preferred to receive verbal information from a professional (69%).

CONCLUSION

Information provision for parents of children with ADHD is a continuous process. Although they access a range of sources and modes, parents prefer verbal information delivery.