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When Youth with ADHD Have Questions—but Don’t Ask

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A team of UNC researchers recently published a new study examining how often youth with attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ask their health care providers the questions they have about their condition. The article, “How Often Do Youth Ask Their Providers the Questions They Checked on an Attention‑Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Question Prompt List?”, appeared in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

The study was authored by Abena Adjei, MS; Delesha M. Carpenter, PhD, MSPH; Kathleen C. Thomas, PhD, MPH; Robyn Sayner, PharmD; Izabela E. Annis, MS; Gail Tudor, PhD; Nacire Garcia, MS; Laurel K. Leslie, MD, MPH; Imelda Coyne, PhD; and Betsy Sleath, PhD. Several of the authors are researchers with the Child & Adolescent Health Services Program at the Sheps Center.

The researchers examined which questions youth with ADHD most commonly selected on a question prompt list and whether they asked those questions during their medical visits. While many youth identified multiple questions they wanted answered, the study found that most did not ask any of their selected questions during their appointment.

These findings highlight ongoing challenges in engaging youth in clinical conversations and supporting shared decision‑making in ADHD care. Tools such as question prompt lists may help prepare youth for visits, but additional strategies may be needed to ensure their voices are heard during clinical encounters.

The published article is available online: https://journals.lww.com/jrnldbp/abstract/9900/how_often_do_youth_ask_their_providers_the.344.aspx

The ADHD Question Prompt List is freely accessible at: https://iuveo.org