Diagnosing and treating attentional difficulties: a nationwide survey.

AIMS To ascertain from paediatricians and child psychiatrists their views regarding the aetiology, assessment, and diagnosis of attentional difficulties in children, and the prescribing of stimulant medication for such difficulties. METHODS Using a questionnaire devised by the authors, 465 paediatricians and 444 child psychiatrists were surveyed. RESULTS The overall response rate was 73%. Some 94% of child psychiatrists and 29% of paediatricians routinely dealt with attentional difficulties. Views on aetiology, classification, and diagnosis were varied. More than 60% of both groups were prepared to prescribe stimulant medication without a formal diagnosis being made. Comorbid conduct disorder and the views of other professionals and of parents have an impact on practice. CONCLUSIONS This survey demonstrates that there is a range of approaches to attentional difficulties by both paediatricians and child psychiatrists.