A Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators and Barriers in Adult Eating Disorder Care
About this study
This two-part study focuses on understanding the treatment experiences of adults aged 18 and over with either a longstanding and/or Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders (SEEDs) in Australia (i.e., have experienced an eating disorder for 7 or more years).
We aim to explore the barriers that people may have encountered accessing care and the factors that may have facilitated their engagement with eating disorder treatment. We are particularly interested in how individuals reflect on their healthcare experiences and what changes they believe may be necessary to improve treatment.
Research TeamA/Professor Gemma Sharp, Ms Gabriel Lubieniecki and Professor Fiona Barlow
InstitutionMonash University
Ethics Approval NumberMonash University Human Research Ethics Committee (ID: 42453)
Funding SourceN/A
Project Start Date7 October 2024
Project End Date31 December 2024
ParticipantsWe are seeking participants that are are an adult (18 years or older) residing in Australia with either a self-reported or health professional diagnosed history of any eating disorder with a duration of 7 or more years who is either currently experiencing symptoms, in recovery, or has fully recovered.
What is InvolvedPart 1: Expression of Interest Survey
You will first be asked to complete an online expression of interest survey lasting up to 10 minutes. The survey will collect basic demographic details (including height and weight) and ask about your eating disorder history, including the type, duration, and whether you are currently experiencing symptoms or not. It will also explore your treatment experiences (if any), and any barriers or facilitators to accessing treatment. You will also be asked to complete the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) which is a standard survey used during eating disorder treatment. Finally, you will be asked to provide your contact details and interview preference day/times so the research team can contact you to arrange the part 2 interview. Participants will receive their EDE-Q score via email from the research team within 2-3 business days of completing the survey (with helpline details should you wish to pursue them) and details for the second part of the study (interview component).
Part 2: Interview
The second part of the study in involves a one-to-one interview with a member of the research team. Please note that if you are a current or past client/patient of any member of the research team, you will not be interviewed by that researcher but another member of the research team. You will be contacted to schedule a Zoom interview lasting up to 50 minutes, which will allow us to explore your treatment experiences in more depth and these interview answers will be linked to your survey responses. During the interview, we will ask about aspects of your treatment journey, such as:
• What specific barriers did you encounter when trying to access treatment (if any)?
• What factors helped you to engage with and continue treatment (if any)?
• How do you interpret and reflect on your overall experiences within the healthcare system?
Please note that all interviews will be audio-recorded for transcription purposes. It is completely your choice whether you choose to turn on your video camera during the interview. There will be no video recording.
You will first be asked to complete an online expression of interest survey lasting up to 10 minutes. The survey will collect basic demographic details (including height and weight) and ask about your eating disorder history, including the type, duration, and whether you are currently experiencing symptoms or not. It will also explore your treatment experiences (if any), and any barriers or facilitators to accessing treatment. You will also be asked to complete the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) which is a standard survey used during eating disorder treatment. Finally, you will be asked to provide your contact details and interview preference day/times so the research team can contact you to arrange the part 2 interview. Participants will receive their EDE-Q score via email from the research team within 2-3 business days of completing the survey (with helpline details should you wish to pursue them) and details for the second part of the study (interview component).
Part 2: Interview
The second part of the study in involves a one-to-one interview with a member of the research team. Please note that if you are a current or past client/patient of any member of the research team, you will not be interviewed by that researcher but another member of the research team. You will be contacted to schedule a Zoom interview lasting up to 50 minutes, which will allow us to explore your treatment experiences in more depth and these interview answers will be linked to your survey responses. During the interview, we will ask about aspects of your treatment journey, such as:
• What specific barriers did you encounter when trying to access treatment (if any)?
• What factors helped you to engage with and continue treatment (if any)?
• How do you interpret and reflect on your overall experiences within the healthcare system?
Please note that all interviews will be audio-recorded for transcription purposes. It is completely your choice whether you choose to turn on your video camera during the interview. There will be no video recording.
LocationOnline
Contact Details
Assoc Prof Gemma Sharp Chief Investigator Department of Neuroscience Monash University Phone: 03 9903 8262 Email: gemma.sharp@monash.edu