# Nationwide dissemination of a web-based quality improvement intervention to improve the quality of ADHD care among community-based pediatricians

> **NIH NIH R01** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2021 · $640,179

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The majority of children with ADHD receive their care in primary care settings. While the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) issued evidence-based guidelines and recommendations for pediatricians, most
pediatricians have difficulty adhering to these guidelines. With input from pediatrician, parent, and teacher
stakeholders, the investigative team has developed a web-based, technology-assisted, quality improvement
(QI) intervention that uses quality improvement methodology and technological innovation (mehealth for
ADHD) to facilitate implementation of evidence-based ADHD care. Use of this intervention results in higher
quality of ADHD care in pediatric settings. Moreover, patients of pediatricians using this intervention have
better treatment outcomes than those receiving typical community-based ADHD care. In partnership with the
AAP, we have piloted a 5-state dissemination of the mehealth for ADHD software. In this research proposal,
the investigative team will partner with the AAP to disseminate the intervention nationwide after addressing
the three most commonly reported barriers to adoption during the pilot dissemination effort and having
adapted the software with functionality (i.e., online trainings, Plan-Do-Study-Act wizard) for nationwide
dissemination. A stakeholder advisory panel representing leaders from pediatricians, patients/parent
advocates, professional health care delivery systems, payers, policy makers, pharmaceutical industry, and
technology entrepreneurship will advise the team on dissemination strategies. The investigative team will
identify, prioritize, implement, and continuously evaluate recommended dissemination strategies (Aim #1).
Moreover, in the context of disseminating this intervention to the 58,726 pediatricians nationwide, we will
determine which specific dissemination strategies are most effective at engaging pediatricians from specific
sociodemographic segments (sub-Aim #1). Additionally, using the RE-AIM dissemination stages framework,
we will describe and examine practice-level, pediatrician-level, and patient population-level sociodemographic
predictors of a) reach, b) adoption, c) implementation, and d) maintenance of use (Aim #2). Finally, with input
from our stakeholder advisory panel, we will identify and prioritize models for financial sustainability of the
mehealth for ADHD intervention platform that will allow the platform to be maintained and continue to be
offered after the grant ends at no cost to pediatricians. During the final year of the grant, we will take concrete
steps towards piloting and implementing selected financial sustainability models (Aim #3).
Significance: The public health significance of this proposal is substantial. With successful dissemination,
this evidence-based intervention has the potential to improve the quality of ADHD care and the outcomes of
millions of children nationwide. Moreover, the results of this research will both serve as a model and a
roadmap for oth...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10076570
- **Project number:** 5R01MH118488-03
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** JEFF N. EPSTEIN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $640,179
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-12-01 → 2022-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10076570

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10076570, Nationwide dissemination of a web-based quality improvement intervention to improve the quality of ADHD care among community-based pediatricians (5R01MH118488-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10076570. Licensed CC0.

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