Unmet Needs and Service Priorities for ADHD in Australia: AI-Assisted Analysis of Senate Inquiry Submissions

TL;DR

This study uses AI to analyze submissions from people with ADHD in Australia, revealing key issues like high costs and long wait times, and suggesting solutions like better funding and training.

Contribution

The novel use of AI-assisted thematic analysis to extract and prioritize ADHD service needs from public submissions offers a scalable method for policy development.

Findings

High costs and long wait times for ADHD assessment and treatment were cited by 46% of submissions.

Most common service request was affordable and accessible ADHD-specific care (71%).

Proposed solutions included Medicare-funded psychological services and improved provider training.

Abstract

Objective: To analyse written submissions from individuals and families with lived experience of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to the 2023 Australian Senate Inquiry, using artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted thematic analysis. The aim was to identify priority concerns, service needs, and community-proposed solutions. Methods: A mixed-methods study of 505 publicly available submissions from individuals with ADHD and their families. Submissions were analysed using large language model (LLM)-assisted data extraction and thematic clustering, with human validation and review. Main Outcome Measures: Frequency and thematic distribution of (1) problems experienced; (2) services wanted; and (3) solutions suggested. Results: Thematic analysis of 480 eligible submissions revealed high costs and long wait times for assessment and treatment (each cited by 46%), lack of specialised care (39%), diagnostic delays (36%), and gender bias (27%). The most common service request was for affordable and accessible ADHD-specific care (71%), followed by services tailored to diverse populations and life stages. Proposed solutions focused on Medicare-funded access to psychological and psychiatric services (68%), expanded roles for general practitioners, improved provider training (39%), and recognition of ADHD under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Submissions also highlighted misalignment between current clinical guidelines and public expectations. Conclusions: The findings highlight substantial unmet needs and systemic barriers in ADHD diagnosis and care in Australia. The AI-assisted analysis of consumer submissions offers a scalable method for integrating lived experience into policy development, providing numerical weighting to the individuals’ responses. Coordinated reforms in access, funding, and workforce training are needed to align services with both clinical evidence and community expectations.

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