GPs Diagnose ADHD, Meds in Surge; Challenges Arise

0:00It's March 6th in Sydney. Let's get into the news. GPs across Australia are stepping up to diagnose ADHD and prescribe medications as demands surges, especially among adults getting late diagnoses. Governments are training family doctors to handle initial assessments and ongoing care, aiming to ease the burden on specialists. This shift varies by state, with some places like Queensland letting GPs jump in without extra training. Spending on popular ADHD stimulants like Ritalin, Concerta, and ViVance has skyrocketed from $60 million in 2019 to 20. 20, up to $223 million by 2025 to 2026. That's a clear sign. Thousands more adults are getting diagnosed each year, after years of focus mainly on kids. A recent study pretending to book appointments found long waits of about 10 weeks on average, with clinics often closed to new patients and adults. Assessments costing over $1,000. Telehealth options have boomed too,

1:01but they charge $900 or more for virtual consults. Now, trained GPs can issue repeat prescriptions or even start treatment in many areas, though numbers are limited at first. In New South Wales, around 600 doctors have shown interest in training for kids from age 6 and adults. Victoria and others are funding similar programs, prioritizing rural and disadvantaged spots, challenges remain, like whether Medicare covers the time intensive work enough, potentially leading to extra fees. Some GPs worry about getting overwhelmed, so folks might still turn to pricey telehealth for now. Officials hope this makes care more accessible over time. Quick thanks to today's sponsor, see the description for more. Relax deeper, reset faster, comfort you can hear. S-O-L-L-I-SOLY-PILLO.com