Understanding of Tic Disorders in Children and Adolescents and Perspectives on a Digital Intervention : A Qualitative Study Among Primary Care Professionals
(2025) In Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry- Abstract
Primary care professionals are often the first line of support for children and adolescents with tic disorders. However, families often report feeling inadequately supported and perceive a lack of knowledge about tics. Few studies have examined primary care professionals’ perspectives on managing tic disorders. This study explored how these professionals understood and managed tic disorders in a Danish region. Twelve professionals, including general practitioners and educational psychologists, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, resulting in three main themes. The first theme, Frontstage: Managing Care Needs in Practice, described how professionals addressed encounters with... (More)
Primary care professionals are often the first line of support for children and adolescents with tic disorders. However, families often report feeling inadequately supported and perceive a lack of knowledge about tics. Few studies have examined primary care professionals’ perspectives on managing tic disorders. This study explored how these professionals understood and managed tic disorders in a Danish region. Twelve professionals, including general practitioners and educational psychologists, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, resulting in three main themes. The first theme, Frontstage: Managing Care Needs in Practice, described how professionals addressed encounters with families affected by tics. The second theme, Behind the Scenes: Navigating Uncertainty and Complexity, captured reflections on managing a heterogeneous group of disorders, such as tic disorders. The third theme, Future Perspectives: Reframing the Stage for Tic Management in Primary Care, reflected professionals’ understanding of the diverse group affected by tics and their evaluation of a newly developed app-based intervention. These findings offer insights into primary care perspectives on tic disorders and clarify reasons for differences in their management. This knowledge is essential when planning interventions for tic disorders, whether through digital platforms or other approaches.
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- author
- Jöhnk, Maria Louise ; Jensen, Claus Sixtus ; Lou, Stina ; Jørgensen, Anne Flyvholm ; Nielsen, Julia Ösp ; Sebastian, Filippa Ilakkija ; Mataix-Cols, David LU ; Thomsen, Per Hove and Nissen, Judith Becker
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- keywords
- digital health intervention, primary care professionals, professional perspectives, qualitative research, tic disorders, Tourette Syndrome
- in
- Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
- publisher
- SAGE Publications
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105023146816
- ISSN
- 1359-1045
- DOI
- 10.1177/13591045251400390
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 38e60408-8c35-4754-b07e-f398628206d8
- date added to LUP
- 2026-02-04 12:13:56
- date last changed
- 2026-02-04 12:15:11
@article{38e60408-8c35-4754-b07e-f398628206d8,
abstract = {{<p>Primary care professionals are often the first line of support for children and adolescents with tic disorders. However, families often report feeling inadequately supported and perceive a lack of knowledge about tics. Few studies have examined primary care professionals’ perspectives on managing tic disorders. This study explored how these professionals understood and managed tic disorders in a Danish region. Twelve professionals, including general practitioners and educational psychologists, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, resulting in three main themes. The first theme, Frontstage: Managing Care Needs in Practice, described how professionals addressed encounters with families affected by tics. The second theme, Behind the Scenes: Navigating Uncertainty and Complexity, captured reflections on managing a heterogeneous group of disorders, such as tic disorders. The third theme, Future Perspectives: Reframing the Stage for Tic Management in Primary Care, reflected professionals’ understanding of the diverse group affected by tics and their evaluation of a newly developed app-based intervention. These findings offer insights into primary care perspectives on tic disorders and clarify reasons for differences in their management. This knowledge is essential when planning interventions for tic disorders, whether through digital platforms or other approaches.</p>}},
author = {{Jöhnk, Maria Louise and Jensen, Claus Sixtus and Lou, Stina and Jørgensen, Anne Flyvholm and Nielsen, Julia Ösp and Sebastian, Filippa Ilakkija and Mataix-Cols, David and Thomsen, Per Hove and Nissen, Judith Becker}},
issn = {{1359-1045}},
keywords = {{digital health intervention; primary care professionals; professional perspectives; qualitative research; tic disorders; Tourette Syndrome}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{SAGE Publications}},
series = {{Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry}},
title = {{Understanding of Tic Disorders in Children and Adolescents and Perspectives on a Digital Intervention : A Qualitative Study Among Primary Care Professionals}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13591045251400390}},
doi = {{10.1177/13591045251400390}},
year = {{2025}},
}