Available through a web-based portal, the software helps community practices collect, score and interpret reports from parents and teachers regarding children's ADHD symptoms -- allowing pediatricians to better gauge whether medications are working with their patients. Providers at community practices can customize the schedule of collection of these ratings for each patient. When ratings are completed, automated algorithms score and interpret data. Physicians then receive text and graphs charting patient response to medication and other related information, allowing them to determine if ADHD symptoms are improving in response to the prescribed medication and dosage. Medicated children cared for at control practices (which did not use the software) experienced an average 10.19-point reduction on the parent-rated scale of symptoms. Children at pediatric practices using the technology based intervention experienced an average symptom reduction of 13.19 points. Compared to children at practices not using the technology, children cared for at practices with the technology had significantly more treatment contacts with clinical staff and a greater number of parent and teacher ratings to monitor the effectiveness of medications. Researchers said that treatment effectiveness and outcomes were more quickly assessed at practices using the software.Source: Web-based technology improves pediatric ADHD care and patient outcomes -- ScienceDaily
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