Improved clinical efficiency in ADHD evaluations: a closer look at the Netherlands
1-minute summary: Objective testing can provide time and cost savings for ADHD evaluation. Research by ADHD specialists such as Dr. Sandra Kooij, and feedback from Dr. Pereira of MC Kinderplein in Rotterdam, highlights how QbTest has helped to support ADHD evaluation and improve patient outcomes.
The value of objective testing for ADHD evaluation
Completing an ADHD evaluation can be a complex and time-consuming process. Objective testing can help to streamline this pathway and save clinician time whilst reducing assessment costs. Objective tests like QbTest can also contribute to a more positive patient experience, where treatment can be personalized. Using QbTest for treatment follow up, helps clinicians to objectively measure treatment effects and discuss their findings with patients using easy-to-read reports.
QbTest in practice: findings from academic research
Edebol et al., report a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 83% when QbTest is used for assessment in adults with ADHD, compared to a control group without ADHD.1
A study by Bijlenga et al., also reports that QbTest is more sensitive to medication effects than using a self-report questionnaire.2
In Adult ADHD. Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment, Professor Sandra Kooij, founder and chair of the European Network Adult ADHD, references the Edebol and Bijlenga studies (the latter of which Kooij is a co-author). In considering the application of QbTest for ADHD evaluation, Kooij concludes that it would seem useful to add such a CPT to the therapeutic arsenal for the evaluation of drug treatment, and possibly for optimal dose titration.3
QbTest can help save clinicians time and money
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) evaluated QbTest in Medtech innovation briefing [MIB318].
The briefing highlights several key findings relating to time and cost savings when QbTest is used in ADHD evaluation, including:
- An observed cost reduction of between 9% and 39% 4
- A reduction in time from first appointment to diagnosis by an average of 146 to 201 days 4
- A reduction in clinician evaluation time of 20% to 30% following the adoption of QbTest in ADHD assessment pathways 4
Improving patient outcomes: experiences from MC Kinderplein, Rotterdam
Dr. Rob Rodrigues Pereira is a Pediatrician at MC Kinderplein in Rotterdam. The practice has incorporated QbTest into its evaluation pathway for more complex ADHD cases.
The use of QbTest has helped to add clarity for patients, parents, and school staff to understand the condition. The visual nature of QbTest reports, which graphically represent the patient’s concentration problems, has also helped to increase understanding.
Dr Rodrigues Pereira explains that QbTest quickly and easily makes it clear where problems lie with inattentive symptoms and that this can really help when advising parents and teachers.
Summary: How QbTest can help clinicians and ADHD patients
QbTest offers a cost-effective solution to ADHD evaluation compared to relying solely on subjective measures.
Time savings from the streamlined assessment pathway benefit patients and clinicians, reducing pressure on waitlists and improving patient experience by speeding up access to care.
Receiving an objective evaluation of ADHD symptoms can also help improve patient experience, and the visual nature of QbTest can help aid understanding.
About QbTest
QbTest is an FDA-cleared and CE-marked objective test used to measure core ADHD symptoms and treatment effects.
Used alongside other clinical measures, it can help to rule in or out the presence of ADHD symptoms and measure a patient’s response to treatment with subsequent re-tests.
Find out more about QbTest.
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References
1 Edebol, H., Helldin, L., & Norlander, T. (2013). Measuring adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder using the Quantified Behavior Test Plus. PsyCh Journal, 2(1), 48-62. DOI: 10.1002/pchj.17
2 Bijlenga D, Jasperse M, Gehlhaar SK, Sandra Kooij JJ. (2014) Objective QbTest and subjective evaluation of stimulant treatment in adult attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Eur Psychiatry. 2015 Jan;30(1):179-85. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2014.06.003. Epub 2014 Aug 27. PMID: 25172155.
3 Kooij, Sandra, Dr. J.J., (2022) Adult ADHD. Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment, Springer, 4th ed., 2022.
4 National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2023, March 7). QbTest for the assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nice.org. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/mib318