TY - JOUR
T1 - Transitions from intensive eating disorder treatment settings
T2 - qualitative investigation of the experiences and needs of adults with anorexia nervosa and their carers
AU - Clark Bryan, Danielle
AU - MacDonald, Pamela
AU - Cardi, Valentina
AU - Rowlands, Katie
AU - Ambwani, Suman
AU - Arcelus, Jon
AU - Bonin, Eva Maria
AU - Landau, Sabine
AU - Schmidt, Ulrike
AU - Treasure, Janet
N1 - Funding Information:
This paper presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Health Technology Assessment Programme (grant reference number: 14/68/09). J.T., V.C. and U.S. acknowledge financial support from the NIHR Specialist Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health award to the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London. U.S. is supported by an NIHR Senior Investigator Award. V.C. is supported by a grant from the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR; Dipartimenti di Eccellenza DM 11/05/2017 n. 262) to the Department of General Psychology, University of Padova. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
PY - 2022/7/20
Y1 - 2022/7/20
N2 - Background Relapse rates for individuals with anorexia nervosa after intensive hospital treatment (in-patient or full-time day care) are high. Better knowledge about the difficulties and opportunities that arise during this transition is needed to identify factors that support or hinder continued recovery upon discharge. Aims The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of adult patients and their chosen carers on the process of transitioning from intensive eating disorder treatment settings to the community. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients with anorexia nervosa (n = 11) discharged from day or in-patient care from specialised eating disorder units across the UK, and their chosen carers (n = 20). Data were analysed with inductive thematic analysis. Results Four interrelated themes were identified for both groups. For patients, themes were continuity of care, ambivalence about continued recovery, the value of social support and a call for enhanced transition support. For carers, themes were the impact of the eating disorder on themselves and the family, perceptions of recovery and support post-discharge, the impact of previous treatment and care experiences, and desire to create a supportive transition process. Conclusions The study provides an insight into the unique challenges that individuals with anorexia nervosa face upon leaving intensive treatment. A lack of post-discharge planning, support system and identity formation outside of anorexia nervosa were perceived as barriers to continued recovery. Patients and carers advocated for transition support that incorporates a phased, inclusive approach with accessible professional and social support in the community.
AB - Background Relapse rates for individuals with anorexia nervosa after intensive hospital treatment (in-patient or full-time day care) are high. Better knowledge about the difficulties and opportunities that arise during this transition is needed to identify factors that support or hinder continued recovery upon discharge. Aims The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of adult patients and their chosen carers on the process of transitioning from intensive eating disorder treatment settings to the community. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients with anorexia nervosa (n = 11) discharged from day or in-patient care from specialised eating disorder units across the UK, and their chosen carers (n = 20). Data were analysed with inductive thematic analysis. Results Four interrelated themes were identified for both groups. For patients, themes were continuity of care, ambivalence about continued recovery, the value of social support and a call for enhanced transition support. For carers, themes were the impact of the eating disorder on themselves and the family, perceptions of recovery and support post-discharge, the impact of previous treatment and care experiences, and desire to create a supportive transition process. Conclusions The study provides an insight into the unique challenges that individuals with anorexia nervosa face upon leaving intensive treatment. A lack of post-discharge planning, support system and identity formation outside of anorexia nervosa were perceived as barriers to continued recovery. Patients and carers advocated for transition support that incorporates a phased, inclusive approach with accessible professional and social support in the community.
KW - Anorexia nervosa
KW - carers
KW - eating disorders
KW - in-patient treatment
KW - out-patient treatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85134958017&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1192/bjo.2022.535
DO - 10.1192/bjo.2022.535
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85134958017
SN - 2056-4724
VL - 8
JO - BJPsych Open
JF - BJPsych Open
IS - 4
M1 - e137
ER -
