Transition support for patients admitted to intensive treatment for anorexia nervosa: qualitative study of patient and carer experiences of a hybrid online guided self-help intervention (ECHOMANTRA)
Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
Pamela Macdonald
Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
Valentina Cardi
Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; and Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy
Suman Ambwani
DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia, Copenhagen, Denmark
Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, UK; and Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Sabine Landau
Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King's College London, UK
Ulrike Schmidt
Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Janet Treasure
Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
Background Adults with anorexia nervosa experience high levels of relapse following in-patient treatment. ECHOMANTRA is a novel online aftercare intervention for patients and carers, which provides psychoeducation and support to augment usual care. Aims To explore patient and carer experiences of receiving the ECHOMANTRA intervention. Method This is part of the process evaluation of the ECHOMANTRA intervention as delivered in the TRIANGLE trial (ISRCTN: 14644379). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants randomised to the ECHOMANTRA (ten patients and ten carers). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview transcripts. Results Five major themes were identified: (1) Mixed experience of the intervention; (2) tailoring the intervention to the stage of recovery; (3) involvement of carers; (4) acceptability of remote support; and (5) impact of self-monitoring and accountability. Conclusions Participants were mostly positive about the support offered. The challenges of using remote and group support were counterbalanced with ease of access to information when needed. Components of the ECHOMANTRA intervention have the potential to improve care for people with eating disorders.
