A family navigator improves post-discharge treatment adherence among adolescents with anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

Adolescent patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Atypical Anorexia Nervosa (AAN) admitted to an inpatient medical unit are at risk of relapse if they do not receive follow up treatment. Yet treatment adherence following discharge remains poor. One possible reason for poor treatment adherence is insufficient support for parents. This pilot study explored the preliminary impact of a novel family navigator (FN) intervention on adolescent patient treatment adherence following inpatient care.

This was a pilot prospective study with a retrospective control cohort. Twenty-three adolescent patients with AN or AAN discharging from an Adolescent Medicine inpatient medical unit whose parents received three months of weekly support from a FN were compared to 23 patients with AN or AAN whose parents did not receive FN support as the FN was not in place (historical control group). The primary outcome measure was medical, nutrition, and mental health appointment attendance (frequency and rate). Secondary outcomes included self-reported mental health changes over 3 months, whether or not the patient was readmitted to the hospital within 6 months of hospital discharge, and parental satisfaction with the program.

Patients in the FN intervention group attended more outpatient appointments overall (medical, nutrition, mental health) compared to the historical control group. The FN intervention was not related to readmission rates or self-reported mental health symptom changes. Parental satisfaction was rated helpful or higher in all categories. There were no differences in appointment attendance or parent satisfaction ratings based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, primary language, or insurance status.

This study provides preliminary support that a FN assisting parents of adolescents with AN or AAN in transitioning from inpatient to outpatient care would improve treatment engagement. Future randomized trials with larger cohorts are needed to best determine how a FN can improve access to care for families, especially for families whose primary language is not English, have public or no insurance, or experience other barriers to care.