The Attitudes and the Use of Methylphenidate without Prescription among Health Care Trainees - Abstract
Objectives: In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of ADHD medications among students who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD in an effort to improve their academic performance. How healthcare trainees perceive and use these medications without prescription deserves a special focus as their current attitudes and choices may influence their future practice in managing the care of children.
Methods: Students were asked about symptoms of ADHD, about their attitudes towards the use of methylphenidate (MPH) and their personal use. Three hundred and twelve pediatric residents, and medical and psychology students and an additional 133 engineering students were sampled.
Results: Overall, 22% of all healthcare trainees reported some MPH use. Healthcare trainees were far less likely to carry a formal diagnosis of ADHD than engineering students (9% vs. 23%), although they tended to meet DSM diagnostic criteria to the same level (20% vs. 21%).Healthcare trainees were more likely to use these medications without a formal ADHD diagnosis, and they were far more likely to believe that MPH has an effect on people without ADHD.
Conclusions: Healthcare trainees should be educated about the importance of appropriate diagnosis of ADHD and of the risks of using of methylphenidate without appropriate diagnosis