Evaluation of wellness in an eating disorders program

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Clinical Psychology
• Treatment Evaluation

Background:

• Evaluating treatment effectiveness in mental health programs is challenging.
• Existing methods are often overlooked or lack practicality.
• There is a need for accessible tools to measure program impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a practical and visual evaluation method called the "Circle of Wellness."
• To define wellness as improved physical and mental health, including reduced eating disorder symptoms and enhanced quality of life.
• To provide a tool for clinicians and clients to visualize progress and inform future planning.

Main Methods:

• Development of the "Circle of Wellness" tool by practitioners and educators in an HMO eating disorders program.
• The tool serves as a visual representation of client progress, comparing pre- and post-program states.
• Wellness is assessed through changes in eating disorder symptoms and quality of life.

Main Results:

• The "Circle of Wellness" provides a clear, visual depiction of client progress.
• It facilitates discussion between clients and clinicians regarding treatment outcomes.
• The tool aids in identifying specific areas for therapeutic focus and intervention.

Conclusions:

• The "Circle of Wellness" offers a practical approach to evaluating treatment effectiveness in eating disorder programs.
• Visualizing progress enhances client engagement and therapeutic alliance.
• This method supports data-driven adjustments to treatment plans for improved outcomes.