Name
Rethinking ADHD Diagnosis in Primary Care: Building a Scalable, Collaborative Assessment Pathway Through an IBH and Specialty Care Partnership
Description

This session focuses on a systemwide effort to improve the accuracy, consistency, and equity of adult ADHD diagnosis within primary care by shifting from routine neuropsychological testing to a structured clinical assessment model within IBH. It outlines how historical overreliance on neuropsych testing created delays in care, despite guidelines emphasizing that ADHD should be diagnosed through comprehensive clinical evaluation. The project showcases a collaborative, IBH‑anchored pilot using the DIVA‑5 and stepped‑care decisioning to standardize assessment, clarify diagnostic roles, and reduce unnecessary testing. It highlights how cross‑departmental redesign led to a sustainable and scalable ADHD assessment pathway that increases access, improves diagnostic clarity, and aligns with CFHA’s priorities for integrated, data‑driven care.

Speakers
Cassandra Sanow-Hansen, MSW, LICSW
Megan Sogn, MSW, LGSW
Patrick Parker, LMFT
Michael Ewing, PhD, LP
Co-Authors
Michael Ewing, PhD, LP - Director of Adult Behavioral Health - CentraCare
Julie A. Wolke, PsyD, LP - Clinical Neuropsychologist at CentraCare
Content Level
Novice
Tags
ADHD, Innovations, Primary Care Behavioral Health Model
Session Type
Concurrent
Objective 1
Identify key barriers that prevent effective ADHD assessment in primary care settings, including workflow breakdowns, role confusion, and historical misconceptions.
Objective 2
Apply a replicable framework for building a collaborative ADHD assessment pathway using IBH, neuropsychology, and specialty behavioral health.
Objective 3
Utilize structured tools (DIVA‑5, screening bundles, referral scripts) to improve diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency.
Content Reference 1

American Academy of Family Physicians. (2024). Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in adults. American Family Physician, 110(2), 157–166

Content Reference 2

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 3). Diagnosing ADHD. https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/diagnosis/index.html

Content Reference 3

Royal College of Psychiatrists. (2023). ADHD in adults: Good practice guidelines (College Report CR235). https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/better-mh-policy/college-reports/cr235-adhd-in-adults---good-practice-guidance.pd

Content Reference 4

Chicagoland Neuropsychology. (2025, March 13). Is neuropsychological testing necessary for ADHD? https://chicagolandneuropsychology.com/blog/is-neuropsychological-testing-necessary-for-adhd/

Content Reference 5

Heltemes, R., Foge, D., Murray, M., Wolf, M., Merten, Z., Dukinfield, G., Morley, C., & Mullen, D. M. (2024). Adult ADHD diagnosis in a family medicine clinic. Annals of Family Medicine, 22(6), 568. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.3178