Adolescent-Reported Changes in Provider Behavior Following Pediatrician Training in Stimulant Diversion Prevention: Results From a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

To test whether pediatrician training leads to provider utilization of stimulant diversion prevention strategies as reported by adolescent patients with ADHD.

METHODS

Pediatric practices received a stimulant diversion prevention workshop (SDP) or continued treatment-as-usual (TAU) in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Surveys were completed by 341 stimulant-treated patients at baseline and three follow-up assessments.

RESULTS

In intent-to-treat analyses of patient reports, SDP adolescents reported more provider use of diversion prevention strategies compared to TAU. They also reported more parent-patient communication about diversion. Provider satisfaction with the training was strong.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatricians can make use of clinical practice strategies for the prevention of stimulant diversion following a 1-hr training; findings are novel given their reliance on confidential patient report of provider behavior and increase confidence in the results. Coupled with the positive provider satisfaction ratings, results suggest that this brief workshop may be an option for concerned providers that also has the effect of increasing discussion at home about safe use of stimulants.