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Mealtimes on eating disorder wards: a two-study investigation
Stacey Long1, Deborah J Wallis, Newman Leung
1University Centre for Research into Eating Disorders, Brockington Building Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|April 8, 2011
Summary
UK eating disorders units show varied mealtime practices. Staff find mealtimes challenging, suggesting improved training and teamwork can enhance patient care during eating disorder treatment.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Mealtimes are critical in eating disorder treatment, yet their implementation varies significantly.
- Understanding staff perspectives is crucial for optimizing therapeutic mealtime environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current mealtime practices in UK eating disorder units.
- To investigate healthcare staff perspectives on mealtimes, including their role and patient experience.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Survey of mealtime protocols across 22 UK eating disorder units.
- Study 2: Semistructured interviews with 16 staff members at 3 eating disorder units.
Main Results:
- Significant variation in mealtime implementation was observed both between and within units.
- Staff reported interpersonal difficulties during mealtimes, influenced by patient interactions.
- Staff identified forward planning, teamwork, and training as key to improving mealtime support.
Conclusions:
- Specialized training is needed for effective mealtime implementation in eating disorder care.
- Further research should evaluate patient perspectives and the impact of modified mealtime approaches on treatment outcomes.
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