Co‐Producing Resources to Help Improve Access to Primary Care for Young People With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Gudka, Rebecca; Salimi, Anita; Gaywood, Rachel; Hendrick, Dale; Becker, Kieran; Medzinskii, Oliver; Mughal, Faraz; Melendez‐Torres, G. J.; Smith, Jane; Newlove‐Delgado, Tamsin; Price, Anna

Abstract

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in negative long‐term outcomes if untreated. Pathways to healthcare in the United Kingdom are complex, especially for those aged 16–25 transitioning between child and adult mental health services. We aimed to co‐produce evidence‐informed resources to improve accessibility of primary care for young people with ADHD. Methods: We utilised co‐production principles from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and findings from recent research to create evidence‐informed resources which collate experiences of multiple stakeholders. Lived experience advisors (young people aged 16–25 with ADHD and their supporters) and healthcare professionals were recruited through previous research engagement and local collaborations. Research partners engaged in workshops or individual meetings to agree priorities, content, and language/visual appearance for outputs. Results: Lived experience advisors (7), healthcare professionals (5), and researchers (3) co‐produced a downloadable resource for young people and their supporters. The resource identifies key stages on ADHD healthcare pathways, common barriers, and top tips recommended by people with lived experience, and verified by healthcare professionals. Key messages for primary care professionals were co‐produced. Conclusion: Co‐produced resources can help address barriers to accessing ADHD treatment and support via stretched NHS services. Collaborative working also highlighted the need for national policy change to alleviate pressures faced by healthcare professionals and patients. Patient and Public Contribution: Two research advisory groups (RAGs) of healthcare professionals and lived experience advisors informed research methods and presentation of results. RAG members participated in co‐production workshops, contributed to authorship, and disseminated outputs.

Citation

Gudka, R., Salimi, A., Gaywood, R., Hendrick, D., Becker, K., Medzinskii, O., Mughal, F., Melendez‐Torres, G. J., Smith, J., Newlove‐Delgado, T., & Price, A. (2025). Co‐Producing Resources to Help Improve Access to Primary Care for Young People With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Health Expectations, 28(3), Article e70200. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70200

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 12, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Apr 29, 2025
• Publication Date: Apr 29, 2025
• Deposit Date: May 6, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: May 6, 2025
• Journal: Health Expectations
• Print ISSN: 1369-6513
• Electronic ISSN: 1369-7625
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 3
• Article Number: e70200
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70200
• Keywords: health services, health policy, primary care, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, co‐production
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1230736
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hex.70200