Journalists wanting to speak to an ACRRM spokesperson are invited to contact Petrina Smith on 0414 820 847 or email.
Rural Australians seeking ADHD assessment and support continue to face major barriers to care, including long wait times, travel costs and limited access to specialist services, according to the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says growing demand for ADHD care is placing increasing pressure on rural health services and highlighting the important role Rural Generalists can play in improving access to care closer to home.
“Across rural and remote Australia, many patients are waiting months to access ADHD assessment or ongoing support,” Dr Martin says.
“In many communities, specialist services are limited or not available at all, meaning Rural Generalists are increasingly becoming frontline clinicians in ADHD care.”
In response, ACRRM has launched a new online course, ADHD: Assessment and Management for Rural Generalists, designed to support doctors to build confidence in recognising ADHD presentations, undertaking assessment, and participating safely in management and shared care models.
The course includes practical clinical guidance, case-based learning and state-specific regulatory information tailored to rural and remote practice.
Dr Martin says Rural Generalists are well placed to contribute to ADHD care because of their broad scope of practice across mental health, paediatrics and chronic disease management.
“ADHD sits naturally within the broader scope of comprehensive rural medicine,” he says.
ACRRM is also calling for more nationally consistent approaches to ADHD assessment and prescribing arrangements.
“The current regulatory environment differs significantly between jurisdictions, creating challenges for both clinicians and patients,” Dr Martin says.
“Where a person lives should not determine whether they can access timely assessment, treatment and ongoing support.”
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says growing demand for ADHD care is placing increasing pressure on rural health services and highlighting the important role Rural Generalists can play in improving access to care closer to home.
“Across rural and remote Australia, many patients are waiting months to access ADHD assessment or ongoing support,” Dr Martin says.
“In many communities, specialist services are limited or not available at all, meaning Rural Generalists are increasingly becoming frontline clinicians in ADHD care.”
In response, ACRRM has launched a new online course, ADHD: Assessment and Management for Rural Generalists, designed to support doctors to build confidence in recognising ADHD presentations, undertaking assessment, and participating safely in management and shared care models.
The course includes practical clinical guidance, case-based learning and state-specific regulatory information tailored to rural and remote practice.
Dr Martin says Rural Generalists are well placed to contribute to ADHD care because of their broad scope of practice across mental health, paediatrics and chronic disease management.
“ADHD sits naturally within the broader scope of comprehensive rural medicine,” he says.
ACRRM is also calling for more nationally consistent approaches to ADHD assessment and prescribing arrangements.
“The current regulatory environment differs significantly between jurisdictions, creating challenges for both clinicians and patients,” Dr Martin says.
“Where a person lives should not determine whether they can access timely assessment, treatment and ongoing support.”