Waiting Well: A mixed-methods study to evaluate the potential for a digital psychoeducation tool to support adults on the waiting list for ADHD diagnostic assessment

Background Referrals for assessment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults have increased 18-fold since 2010. Waiting times exceed 3 years in most regions of England, causing significant distress, and increasing the risk of negative outcomes including mental ill health, substance misuse, and unemployment. Aim: To explore the potential for a digital psychoeducation tool to support adults awaiting ADHD assessment and scope its initial design. Objectives: Engage Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) throughout: Recruit a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) of adults with experience of waiting for ADHD assessment and engage with them throughout. Evidence discovery & synthesis: a) Review the current evidence base for psychoeducation via a systematic literature review with meta-analysis and narrative synthesis b) Explore relevant currently available digital resources. Explore stakeholder views and experiences: Interview adults referred for ADHD assessment and healthcare professionals working in adult ADHD services. Team building: Create an advisory group including key stakeholders from industry, healthcare, clinical trials and evaluation, and PPI. Technology & Research Design a) Co-design a low-fidelity specification of the digital psychoeducation tool that will be further developed in the future Programme Grant and b) a research methodology to evaluate the digital tool. Design the Programme Grant: Prepare an application for NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR). Dissemination: Disseminate findings via academic and healthcare conferences and to the lived experience community via charities, support groups, and social media. These objectives will be achieved through 5 interlinked work packages over 15 months: Development Work Plan & Timelines Work Package 1 (months 1-15): Consult the LEAP throughout to gather their perspectives on the design and findings of each work package (Objective 1). WP2 (months 1-9): Conduct a systematic review to establish the evidence base for psychoeducation in ADHD and scope similar digital resources (Objective 2). Findings will be submitted for publication and inform the psychoeducation content of the digital tool in WP4. WP3 (months 1-12): Explore experiences and views of adults with experience of waiting for ADHD assessment and healthcare professionals working in specialist adult ADHD services (Objective 3). This will include exploring core content of the digital tool to inform the technology design decisions made in WP4. WP4 (months 1-12): Develop and consult an advisory group through meetings and workshops (Objective 4) to inform key decisions about the design of the digital tool (Objective 5a) and the research design to evaluate it (Objective 5b) in the future programme grant. WP5 (months 9-15): prepare a NIHR PGfAR funding application (Objective 6) and co-create dissemination materials with the study team, advisory group and LEAP (Objective 7). Impact and dissemination Our dissemination strategy aims to influence key audiences, including policy-makers, healthcare practitioners, lived experience communities, and digital healthcare providers. Dissemination materials will be co-created with the LEAP and shared via social media, charities, mental health recovery colleges, and advocacy groups, to engage the public and reach the ADHD community. The findings will be presented at conferences and published in journals to reach academic, healthcare and technology audiences.