Shared Decision-Making in ADHD Medication Management: Evaluating Alignment Between Patient Values and Prescribing Practice

Background

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects individuals across the lifespan and is increasingly recognised as a significant public health priority. Medication is a key component of evidence-based ADHD treatment, yet decisions around starting, adjusting, or continuing medication remain challenging for many patients, families, and clinicians. These decisions often involve balancing perceived benefits with concerns about side effects, stigma, long-term impact, and personal beliefs about medication. Despite national guidance emphasising the importance of shared decision-making (SDM), research consistently shows that patients do not always feel involved in discussions, and clinicians may underestimate the values and preferences that shape how individuals experience ADHD and its treatment.

Aims

This PhD project will investigate how well current prescribing practice aligns with what patients and families actually value when making decisions about ADHD medication. It will explore the extent to which SDM is implemented in real-world settings, identify gaps between patient expectations and clinician assumptions, and examine how these discrepancies may influence treatment outcomes, adherence, and satisfaction with care.

Methods

Using a mixed-methods approach—including systematic reviews, qualitative interviews/focus-groups, and survey or choice-based methodologies—the project will generate an in-depth understanding of the factors shaping medication decisions across diverse groups.

Significance

By identifying mismatches between what matters to patients and what drives prescribing decisions, the project aims to inform the development of more person-centred, equitable models of ADHD care. The findings will provide actionable recommendations for clinicians, policymakers, and service providers seeking to improve communication, support informed choice, and enhance long-term engagement with treatment. This PhD offers an opportunity to contribute to a growing area of research with meaningful implications for practice, ensuring that medication decisions for ADHD are truly collaborative and reflective of patient priorities.

Primary Supervisor’s key papers in this area:

•           Khan MU*, Hasan SS. Socioeconomic status and prescribing of ADHD medications: a study of ICB-level data in England. BMJ Mental Health. 2025 Mar 11;28(1).

•           Khan MU*, Hasan SS. Phase-specific strategies and interventions to enhance medication adherence across different phases in ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. 2024 Jun 9:1-2.

•           Khan MU*, Balbontin C, Bliemer M, Aslani P. Using discrete choice experiment to investigate patients’ and parents’ preferences for initiating ADHD medication. Journal of Mental Health. 2023 Mar 4;32(2):373-85.

•           Khan MU*, Balbontin C, Bliemer MC, Aslani P. Eliciting preferences for continuing medication among adult patients and parents of children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder. Health Expectations. 2022 Jun;25(3):1094-107.

•           Hasan SS, Bal N, Baker I, Kow CS, Khan MU. Adverse drug reaction reporting and prescribing trends of drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in primary care England, 2010–2019. Journal of attention disorders. 2022 Feb;26(3):467-75.

•           Khan MU*, Aslani P. Exploring factors influencing initiation, implementation and discontinuation of medications in adults with ADHD. Health Expectations. 2021 May;24:82-94.

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:

a] a First or Upper Second Class award in their Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors or UG Masters) from a UK institution, in a subject judged by Aston to be relevant to the proposed research.

Alternativley

b] a Merit (or above)* in a Postgraduate Masters degree in a relevant subject AND an Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors or UG Masters), both from UK institutions.

*where appropriate.

Qualifications from overseas institutions will be also considered but performance must be equivalent to that described above, and the University reserves the right to ascertain this equivalence according to its own criteria.

Financial Support

This project covers the Home tuition fees. Candidates who do not have Home status will be responsible for the difference in tuition fees. Currently, the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7.  

Overseas Applicants

Overseas applicants may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees. Currently, the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7. As part of the application, you will be required to confirm that you will provide this additional funding. Please indicate this on the application form in the funding section.
 

Apply through our PhD application form.

When applying:

• For University College, please select Health Sciences
• For Degree Programme, please select Research Health Sciences (including Optometry, Pharmacy, and Psychology Research Areas) and your preferred entry date.

The supervisor can be contacted at m.khan59@aston.ac.uk. When applying, please upload copies of your discussions with the supervisor as confirmation.

Overseas Applicants

Overseas applicants may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees. Currently the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7. As part of the application, you will be required to confirm that you will provide this additional funding. Please indicate this on the application form in the funding section. This project has associated consumables costs which should be discussed with the supervisor in the first instance and before applying. The supervisor can be contacted at m.khan59@aston.ac.uk. When applying, please upload copies of your discussions with the supervisor as confirmation.

Apply now

If you require further information about the application process please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team at pgr_admissions@aston.ac.uk

Supervisor: Dr Muhammad Umair Khan

Contact information

For formal enquiries about this project contact:m.khan59@aston.ac.uk

PhD programmes are for those who are seeking to develop greater in-depth knowledge in a specific area. Completing this level of study is about making an original contribution to knowledge, making new discoveries and developing lifelong skills. 

Studying a PhD is great route into academia and industries that are centred on research and innovation. Areas with a demand for very high level and specialised research skills often demand PhDs.

In addition to this specialist knowledge, PhD education will help you to develop a set of valuable transferrable skills. The very nature of studying an intensive research degree will enable you to become a team player, develop problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and advanced presentation and communication skills.