Transitioning services for eating disorder treatment, the relative importance of factors from patient, carer and clinician perspectives: a Q-methodology study
ISSN: 1361-9322
Article publication date: 15 March 2022
Issue publication date: 2 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Effective transitions from child and adolescent to adult services are important for continuity of care for patients with eating disorders. This study aims to examine the relative importance of a series of statements about the transition process, elicited from an earlier service evaluation, from the perspectives of patients, parents/carers and clinicians.
Design/methodology/approach
Twenty-eight participants completed a Q-sort task ranking 40 statements, developed from an earlier study, using a normal distribution pattern on a scale, which ranged from strongly agree to strongly disagree, to identify their priorities for transition. Analysis resulted in the extraction of four factors explaining 52% of the variance.
Findings
Four distinct factors were elicited: “parents and carers need including too”, “facilitating effective transfer between services”, “supporting the patient through transition” and providing “timely, patient-centred care”. The study enabled similarities and differences in priorities to be observed for the three respondent groups.
Practical implications
These rankings, noting the differences between the respondent groups, can be used to inform the development of effective transition protocols. This study suggests these protocols should ensure a person-centred approach; timely planning; include parents/carers; provide continuous care and have good transfer of information and sensible timing of transitions. Differences in priorities/opinions can be addressed through open communication channels.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first UK-wide study examining priorities for transition from the perspectives of patients, parents/carers and clinicians.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the service users, parents/carers and clinicians for their contributions; BEAT, First Steps and Eating Disorders and Carers UK for their valuable assistance in the recruitment of patients and carers; Dr Karima Susi for the initial research concept and Rheanne Leatherland for assistance with the study. Funding: The study was funded by a grant from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust Charitable Funds.
Citation
Wales, J., Brewin, N., Williamson, I., Štický, J., Lawrence, R. and Eivors, A. (2022), "Transitioning services for eating disorder treatment, the relative importance of factors from patient, carer and clinician perspectives: a Q-methodology study", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 27 No. 2, pp. 226-237. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-10-2021-0074
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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