Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T06:33:24.473Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Eating disorder services for young people in Ireland: perspectives of service providers, service users and the general adolescent population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 December 2015

F. McNicholas ,
C. O’Connor ,
N. McNamara  and
L. O’Hara
F. McNicholas*
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
C. O’Connor
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co Kildare, Ireland
N. McNamara
Affiliation:
Division of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Chaucer Building, Burton St., Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK
L. O’Hara
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: F. McNicholas, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. (Email: fiona.mcnicholas@ucd.ie)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives

This paper illuminates how national eating disorder (ED) policy translates into day-to-day practice by exploring how ED services are experienced by those who deliver and use them.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach was used, which combined qualitative and quantitative techniques. The paper collates data from three studies: (i) an interview study exploring the lived experiences of young people with EDs (n=8), their parents (n=5) and their healthcare professionals (n=3); (ii) a national survey of health professionals’ perspectives on existing ED services (n=171); (iii) a nationwide survey of secondary-school students’ eating concerns and patterns of help-seeking (n=290).

Results

The qualitative interviews with young people and their parents revealed feelings of isolation and helplessness. Young people expressed interest in patient support groups, while parents desired greater support for the family unit. Parents were highly critical of available services, particularly in relation to access. These criticisms were echoed in the survey of healthcare professionals, who reported many barriers to delivering effective care. Clinicians were almost unanimous in calling for care pathways to be clarified via a standardised treatment protocol. The survey of adolescents indicated widespread reluctance to seek help regarding eating concerns: over one-third expressed concern about their own eating habits, but half of these had not divulged their concerns to anyone. Participants’ preferred pathways of help-seeking revolved around family and friends, and adolescents were unsure about routes of access to professional support.

Conclusions

The research demonstrates that many aspects of national ED policy have not been implemented in practice. The paper highlights specific gaps and suggests ways they can be redressed.

Keywords

Eating disordersinterviewsmental health servicessurveysyouth mental health
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 35 , Issue 4 , December 2018 , pp. 301 - 309
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aitken, C, Power, R, Dwyer, R (2008). A very low response rate in an on-line survey of medical practitioners. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 32, 288–289.Google Scholar
College of Psychiatry of Ireland (2010). The College of Psychiatry of Ireland submission to the 2nd A Vision for Change Monitoring Group. (http://www.irishpsychiatry.ie/Libraries/External_Events_Documents/College_report_to_the_2nd_Indep_monitoring_group_on_AVFC_progress_Nov_2010.sflb.ashx). Accessed 20 November 2014.Google Scholar
College of Psychiatry of Ireland (2012). Submission to the Independent Monitoring Group on progress of a vision for change in 2011. (http://www.irishpsychiatry.ie/Libraries/External_Events_Documents/CPsychI_report_to_IMG_re_vision_in_2011_Final_3_February_2012_1.sflb.ashx). Accessed 20 November 2014.Google Scholar
Department of Education & Skills (2015). Data on individual schools. (https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/). Accessed 11 November 2015.Google Scholar
Department of Health & Children (2006). A Vision for Change: Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy. Government Publications Office: Dublin.Google Scholar
Flahavan, C (2006). Detection, assessment and management of eating disorders; how involved are GPs? Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine 23, 96–99.Google Scholar
Health Research Board (2014). HRB Statistics Series 25: Activities of Irish Psychiatric Units and Hospitals 2013. Health Research Board: Dublin (http://www.hrb.ie/uploads/tx_hrbpublications/HRB025_Statistics_Series_25_Activities_of_Irish_Psychiatric_Units_and_Hospitals_2013_online.pdf). Accessed 20 November 2014.Google Scholar
Health Service Executive (2011). National mental health programme plan. (http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/National_Mental_Health_Programme_Plan_Nov2011_draft.pdf). Accessed 4 June 2015.Google Scholar
NICE (2004). Eating disorders in over 8s: management. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: London.Google Scholar
McNicholas, F, Dooley, B, Keogh, L, Lydon, A, Lennon, R, Ahern, S, Coyle, C, Whelan, A, O’Donoghue, L (2010). Eating problems in Irish children and adolescents – EPICA. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine 27, 172–178.Google Scholar
McNicholas, F, O’Connor, C, O’Hara, L, McNamara, N (2015). Stigma and treatment of eating disorders in Ireland: health professionals’ knowledge and attitudes. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2015.24.Google Scholar
O’Cathain, A, Murphy, E, Nicholl, J (2007). Why, and how, mixed methods research is undertaken in health services research in England: a mixed methods study. BMC Health Services Research 7, 85.Google Scholar
Proctor, EK, Landsverk, J, Aarons, G, Chambers, D, Glisson, C, Mittman, B (2009). Implementation research in mental health services: an emerging science with conceptual, methodological, and training challenges. Administration and Policy in Mental Health 36, 24–34.Google Scholar
Royal College of Psychiatrists (2012). Eating Disorders in the UK: Service Distribution, Service Development and Training. Report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists Section of Eating Disorders. Royal College of Psychiatrists: London.Google Scholar
Strauss, A, Corbin, JM (1990). Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. Sage: London.Google Scholar