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The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says expanding the role of GPs and Rural Generalists (RGs) in ADHD assessment and treatment is an important step toward equitable healthcare access for people living outside major centres.
Data shows that by 2022–23, around 470,000 Australians are prescribed ADHD medications — an increase of almost 300 per cent over 10 years.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says demand for ADHD care is rising sharply across the country, but rural communities continue to experience the greatest barriers.
“People in rural and remote Australia still face the longest delays and highest costs for ADHD assessment and care, with specialist services often hours away and out of reach,” he says.
“RGs live and work in these communities and are best placed to provide timely, ongoing ADHD care close to home.”
Dr Martin says recent reforms across several states are already improving access and demonstrating the value of rural GP and RG-supported models of care.
“Queensland is the first state to allow GPs and Rural Generalists to diagnose ADHD in adults,” he says. “As the Rural College primarily responsible for education and certification of doctors, we would strongly recommend whatever training is necessary and available to optimise patient care.”
“Reforms in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania are also helping to reduce wait times and improve continuity of care.”
He says expanding the role of Rural Generalists to diagnose, prescribe and support patients through whole-of-life ADHD care will ease pressure on overstretched specialist services and ensure patients receive consistent, informed and affordable treatment in their own communities.
“For these reforms to deliver the best outcomes, they must be supported by continued investment in training and workforce development,” Dr Martin says.
Data shows that by 2022–23, around 470,000 Australians are prescribed ADHD medications — an increase of almost 300 per cent over 10 years.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says demand for ADHD care is rising sharply across the country, but rural communities continue to experience the greatest barriers.
“People in rural and remote Australia still face the longest delays and highest costs for ADHD assessment and care, with specialist services often hours away and out of reach,” he says.
“RGs live and work in these communities and are best placed to provide timely, ongoing ADHD care close to home.”
Dr Martin says recent reforms across several states are already improving access and demonstrating the value of rural GP and RG-supported models of care.
“Queensland is the first state to allow GPs and Rural Generalists to diagnose ADHD in adults,” he says. “As the Rural College primarily responsible for education and certification of doctors, we would strongly recommend whatever training is necessary and available to optimise patient care.”
“Reforms in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania are also helping to reduce wait times and improve continuity of care.”
He says expanding the role of Rural Generalists to diagnose, prescribe and support patients through whole-of-life ADHD care will ease pressure on overstretched specialist services and ensure patients receive consistent, informed and affordable treatment in their own communities.
“For these reforms to deliver the best outcomes, they must be supported by continued investment in training and workforce development,” Dr Martin says.
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The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says expanding the role of GPs and Rural Generalists (RGs) in ADHD assessment and treatment is an important step toward equitable healthcare access for people living outside major centres.
Data shows that by 2022–23, around 470,000 Australians are prescribed ADHD medications — an increase of almost 300 per cent over 10 years.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says demand for ADHD care is rising sharply across the country, but rural communities continue to experience the greatest barriers.
“People in rural and remote Australia still face the longest delays and highest costs for ADHD assessment and care, with specialist services often hours away and out of reach,” he says.
“RGs live and work in these communities and are best placed to provide timely, ongoing ADHD care close to home.”
Dr Martin says recent reforms across several states are already improving access and demonstrating the value of rural GP and RG-supported models of care.
“Queensland is the first state to allow GPs and Rural Generalists to diagnose ADHD in adults,” he says. “As the Rural College primarily responsible for education and certification of doctors, we would strongly recommend whatever training is necessary and available to optimise patient care.”
“Reforms in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania are also helping to reduce wait times and improve continuity of care.”
He says expanding the role of Rural Generalists to diagnose, prescribe and support patients through whole-of-life ADHD care will ease pressure on overstretched specialist services and ensure patients receive consistent, informed and affordable treatment in their own communities.
“For these reforms to deliver the best outcomes, they must be supported by continued investment in training and workforce development,” Dr Martin says.
Data shows that by 2022–23, around 470,000 Australians are prescribed ADHD medications — an increase of almost 300 per cent over 10 years.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says demand for ADHD care is rising sharply across the country, but rural communities continue to experience the greatest barriers.
“People in rural and remote Australia still face the longest delays and highest costs for ADHD assessment and care, with specialist services often hours away and out of reach,” he says.
“RGs live and work in these communities and are best placed to provide timely, ongoing ADHD care close to home.”
Dr Martin says recent reforms across several states are already improving access and demonstrating the value of rural GP and RG-supported models of care.
“Queensland is the first state to allow GPs and Rural Generalists to diagnose ADHD in adults,” he says. “As the Rural College primarily responsible for education and certification of doctors, we would strongly recommend whatever training is necessary and available to optimise patient care.”
“Reforms in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania are also helping to reduce wait times and improve continuity of care.”
He says expanding the role of Rural Generalists to diagnose, prescribe and support patients through whole-of-life ADHD care will ease pressure on overstretched specialist services and ensure patients receive consistent, informed and affordable treatment in their own communities.
“For these reforms to deliver the best outcomes, they must be supported by continued investment in training and workforce development,” Dr Martin says.