Premium
Mealtimes on eating disorder wards: A two‐study investigation
Author(s) -
Long Stacey,
Wallis Deborah J.,
Leung Newman,
Arcelus Jon,
Meyer Caroline
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20916
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , psychology , eating disorders , teamwork , interpersonal communication , unit (ring theory) , qualitative research , clinical psychology , applied psychology , social psychology , social science , mathematics education , sociology , political science , law
Abstract Objective: This research had two aims. First, to assess the current mealtime practices within UK eating disorders units. Second, to investigate staff perspectives of these mealtimes, including their involvement and understanding of patients' experience. Method: Study 1 involved a survey to assess mealtime protocols across 22 eating disorders units. In Study 2, sixteen semistructured interviews were conducted with staff at three eating disorders units. Results: Between and within‐unit variation exist regarding the implementation of mealtimes. Thematic analysis revealed that staff perceived their provision of mealtimes to be influenced by their own interpersonal difficulties created by the meals. Additionally, they perceived that these issues could be aided by forward planning, successful teamwork, and focused staff training. Discussion: There is a need for specialized mealtime implementation training. Furthermore, research is required to evaluate current mealtime practices from patient perspectives and to determine the impact of modified mealtime approaches on treatment outcome. © 2011 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012)