Psychiatric Bulletin (2008) 32: 426-430. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.107.018317
© 2008 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Treatment adherence and the care programme approach in individuals with eating disorders

Martin Schmidt

Department of Psychiatry, St George’s University, London

John F. Morgan

*Department of Psychiatry, St George’s University, London and Yorkshire Centre for Eating Disorders, Seacroft Hospital, York Road, Leeds LS14 6UH, email: John.Morgan{at}leedspft.nhs.uk

Farida Yousaf

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust, Epsom

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To examine service-level variables predicting treatment adherence in a specialist eating disorder unit. We analysed a sample of 157 individuals consecutively referred to the unit over an 18-month period. Associations were determined using odds ratios.

RESULTS

Individuals with a formal care programme at the point of referral were more likely to stay in treatment. Treatment adherence was not predicted by illness severity or waiting time. Follow-up by a dietician and acceptance of referral to a support group predicted better treatment outcomes.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Although the standard care programme approach may be relinquished in the UK, we recommend that this approach or its equivalent be used in specialist eating disorder services to improve treatment adherence.