Нова реформа щодо СДУГ дозволяє лікарям загальної практики безпосередньо керувати лікуванням

On Monday, health officials announced a significant reform in ADHD care that empowers general practitioners (GPs) to initiate and manage stimulant medication for children diagnosed with ADHD. This change aims to improve access to timely treatment and foster ongoing relationships between patients and their family doctors.

Under the new guidelines, specially trained GPs can prescribe stimulant medication without needing a direct referral from the diagnosing pediatrician or psychiatrist. This shift addresses the pressing issue of long wait times, which often span 6 to 12 months for a diagnosis and even longer for treatment. During this period, many children face challenges in school, often misidentified as defiant rather than struggling with attention issues. Adults may also experience emotional dysregulation and burnout while waiting for necessary care.

As a practicing GP, I see firsthand the impact of these delays. I understand my patients’ histories and their families’ circumstances. Often, I know the treatment path ahead, yet I have felt powerless to act due to regulatory barriers. This reform changes that dynamic, allowing me to provide timely care that I know is effective.

The decision to allow GPs to take an active role in ADHD management is not about replacing specialists but rather filling a critical gap in care. GPs, equipped with the right training, are well-positioned to deliver effective management for ADHD, a condition with established diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols.

This reform resonates with me on a personal level. I was diagnosed with ADHD prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, during a time when public awareness of the condition was just beginning to rise. As a parent of children with ADHD, I have witnessed the chaos that untreated symptoms can cause, as well as the relief that comes with appropriate treatment. I have seen lives change for the better, including my own, and this reform represents a meaningful advancement.

Critics of the reform raise concerns about potential overdiagnosis of ADHD. However, I view this as a necessary adjustment to better understand the condition across different age groups and populations that have historically been overlooked. This is not a trend; it reflects a growing recognition of ADHD as a legitimate neurodevelopmental disorder.

Some may question whether GPs are sufficiently qualified to manage stimulant medications. However, GPs routinely prescribe and monitor more complex medications, including opioids and antipsychotics, and are trained to adjust treatments based on individual patient needs. With proper guidelines and ongoing training, managing ADHD care is well within the capabilities of GPs.

This change is fundamentally about trust: trust in patients to seek help, trust in GPs to provide competent care, and trust in a healthcare system that must adapt to meet the rising demand for mental health services. For every child who has faced long delays, for every adult who has struggled with misdiagnosis or inadequate support, this reform is critical. It offers hope to families who have felt powerless in the face of a fragmented system.

To ensure the successful implementation of this reform, robust training for GPs must be prioritized, and collaboration with specialists should remain a key component for more complex cases. The healthcare system must evolve to meet the needs of patients with ADHD effectively. This reform is a pivotal step in that direction, and it is about time we embraced it.