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Developing new services for eating disorders: an evaluation study.
- Source :
-
Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists [Australas Psychiatry] 2006 Mar; Vol. 14 (1), pp. 57-62. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Objective: This paper aims to evaluate the structures and processes of eating disorders services in two regional cities in Australia.<br />Method: Stakeholder evaluation undertaken between 2002 and 2005 uses interviews, questionnaires and service delivery data to examine: structure and patient profile of the two services, barriers and success factors and local factors influencing development of the services.<br />Results: The Bendigo service provided secondary consultation and specialist management with upskilling of primary care workers as a key goal. Patients were referred to the service via mental health triage. The Geelong service initially offered assessment only, with direct access for the general public. Treatment was offered from early 2004. The Bendigo service assessed 41 patients, 63% were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Most patients had a moderate or severe eating disorder. The Geelong service assessed 186 patients, 55% were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa and 80% of this subset had not previously been treated for an eating disorder. General practitioners identified barriers to development of the services as: problems with capacity building and unrealistic expectations. The success factors were providing a locally based service with credible clinicians and effective communication.<br />Conclusions: Activity analysis demonstrates that the goals for both services were met. There is a need to measure both short- and long-term patient outcomes in order to fully assess effectiveness and applicability to other settings. Local factors, such as availability of specialist providers, would need to be taken into account.
- Subjects :
- Anorexia Nervosa epidemiology
Anorexia Nervosa therapy
Australia epidemiology
Bulimia Nervosa epidemiology
Bulimia Nervosa therapy
Feeding and Eating Disorders epidemiology
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Mental Health Services supply & distribution
Organizational Innovation
Organizational Objectives
Primary Health Care methods
Referral and Consultation
Surveys and Questionnaires
Treatment Outcome
Urban Health Services supply & distribution
Victoria epidemiology
Feeding and Eating Disorders therapy
Mental Health Services organization & administration
Program Development
Urban Health Services organization & administration
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1039-8562
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16630200
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1665.2006.02246.x