Telehealth for ADHD: Is it Accurate? A groundbreaking study challenges everything you thought you knew about online ADHD assessments!
At the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) 2026 Annual Conference, the burning question was: can telehealth truly deliver reliable ADHD diagnoses? As concerns rise about diagnostic accuracy, responsible stimulant prescribing, and the appropriate use of new technologies, one study is stepping up to provide some answers.
Dr. Barry K. Herman, Chief Medical Officer of Mentavi Health, presented compelling real-world data on an online, asynchronous ADHD assessment tool for adults. His findings come at a crucial time, considering that almost half of adults with ADHD are turning to telehealth for care. But here's the kicker: very few studies have actually compared these telehealth assessments directly to the gold standard – a traditional clinical interview.
Psychiatric Times sat down with Dr. Herman at APSARD to dive deep into the study's design, the eye-opening results, and what they mean for clinicians. We also discussed how technology, co-occurring conditions, and the irreplaceable role of human judgment should all factor into ADHD care.
Psychiatric Times: Telemedicine has exploded in popularity for ADHD treatment, but not without raising eyebrows. What specific question were you hoping to answer with this research?
Dr. Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM: Let's set the stage. Telehealth isn't new, but it definitely took off during the COVID pandemic. And that momentum hasn't slowed down because, frankly, people love it. Both patients and practitioners appreciate the increased access and convenience – something that's sorely lacking in our current mental health system.
Our company was founded on the idea of providing accessible and affordable mental health care to everyone, everywhere. But we noticed a wide range of practices in telehealth, especially concerning ADHD. Some companies weren't exactly playing by the rules when it came to diagnosis and treatment, which cast a shadow on the whole field, particularly regarding ADHD and stimulant prescriptions.
But here's where it gets controversial... The CDC reported that 46% of adults with ADHD are using telehealth. And this is the part most people miss: nobody had actually rigorously investigated how accurate, valid, and reliable telehealth-based ADHD diagnoses are compared to traditional clinical interviews conducted by licensed mental health professionals.
So, we decided to conduct a study comparing our diagnostic evaluation to the current standard of care – the clinical interview. The results were initially reported at the end of 2024. We then disseminated this data through poster presentations and, most importantly, published our findings in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry last September. Being here at APSARD allows us to share our work and get valuable feedback from our peers.
Psychiatric Times: What should clinicians keep in mind when evaluating your study's design?
Dr. Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM: This was a real-world study conducted primarily on our own treatment platform. We were fortunate to have exceptional collaborators like Dr. Stephen V. Faraone, Dr. Andrew J. Cutler, and Dr. Jeffrey H. Newcorn as co-authors. Their expertise was invaluable in ensuring the study was conducted rigorously and appropriately.
Psychiatric Times: What were the most significant clinical takeaways from the data?
Dr. Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM: We were thrilled to find a high degree of agreement between our online assessment and the traditional clinical interview. We demonstrated 80% sensitivity and a 95% positive predictive value.
But the real shocker was the false positive rate. Our diagnostic evaluation had a false positive rate of only 12%, compared to a whopping 56% for clinicians conducting the clinical interviews! And that's a huge difference.
And this is the part most people miss... It highlights the significant variability in ADHD diagnosis in the real world. A wide range of healthcare professionals are making these diagnoses, and many lack the necessary background, training, and expertise.
It's crucial to remember that currently, there are no definitive biomarkers for ADHD. No blood tests, brain scans, or psychometric tests can definitively confirm a diagnosis. While genetic markers exist, they aren't widely accessible for general use yet. Hopefully, we'll see advancements in this area in the future.
For now, we rely on clinicians' judgment based on clinical interviews (structured or unstructured) and comparing their findings to the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD. This study is the first of its kind to demonstrate the validity of an online, asynchronous assessment for diagnosing ADHD in adults. We're incredibly proud of this and believe we're setting a new standard of evidence and scientific rigor for the field. We hope this will not only advance ADHD diagnosis in adults but also propel the largely untapped and understudied field of telehealth forward.
Psychiatric Times: Given that ADHD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, how does the tool address this diagnostic complexity?
Dr. Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM: A staggering 80% of patients with ADHD have at least one co-occurring psychiatric condition. Our tool does attempt to differentiate contributing factors, and it's capable of diagnosing the mental health conditions most commonly associated with ADHD. Clinicians can then use this data for further exploration and to understand the patient's unique clinical presentation.
Psychiatric Times: Many clinicians worry that artificial intelligence might replace clinical judgment. How should clinicians view the role of AI in this model?
Dr. Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM: Our company has been proactive in addressing this concern. We've even established an AI ethics committee. There's no aspect of our diagnostic or treatment process that doesn't involve a human being. These aren't chatbots or AI systems making diagnoses. Real humans are taking the data we collect and applying their clinical judgment. I also want to challenge everyone involved in telehealth to adopt a scientific, evidence-based approach with strong clinical oversight.
Psychiatric Times: Finally, on a personal level, what motivates you in this work?
Dr. Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM: I went to medical school to help people. After spending about 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, I'm now much closer to the individual patient encounter. I'm truly feeling the impact of helping people every day. That's my mantra: to improve the lives of people and their families. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity.
Stay tuned to Psychiatric Times for continued expert insights and emerging data from the APSARD 2026 Annual Conference.
References
- Herman B. Validity of an online assessment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among a real world sample of adults seeking web-based mental health care. Poster presented at the APSARD 2026 Annual Conference; January 15-18, 2026; San Diego, CA.
- Staley BS, Robinson LR, Claussen AH, et al. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults — National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System, United States, October–November 2023. MMWR. 2024;73(40).
- Herman BK, Faraone SV, Cutler AJ, et al. Validity of an Online Assessment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among a Real-World Sample of Adults Seeking Web-Based Mental Health Care. J Clin Psychiatry. 2025;86(3):25m15846.
Now, let's hear from you! Do you agree with the study's findings? Are you comfortable with the increasing role of telehealth in ADHD care? What are your biggest concerns or hopes regarding technology and mental health? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
