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A co‐designed consumer checklist to support people with eating disorders to locate evidence‐based treatment
Author(s) -
Wade Tracey,
Calvert Shan,
Thompson Elise,
Wild Cieayn,
Mitchison Deborah,
Hay Phillipa
Publication year - 2021
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.23529
Subject(s) - helpfulness , checklist , psychology , qualitative research , clinical psychology , social psychology , social science , sociology , cognitive psychology
Identifying a therapist with expertise in treating eating disorders (EDs) can be a daunting process for a consumer, resulting in delayed access to evidence‐based treatment, prolonging unnecessary suffering. We developed a consumer checklist designed to empower consumers to locate evidence‐based treatment earlier. We co‐designed (researchers and people with lived experience of an ED) a 15‐item consumer checklist, for use in a meeting with a potential therapist. A survey about the checklist was sent out to people with lived experience and clinicians, seeking quantitative endorsement of each item's helpfulness in the checklist, and inviting qualitative feedback. Seventeen people with lived experience and 11 clinicians gave feedback. The items were rated as being helpful, with overlap between the two groups as to the most helpful items. Both groups rated the checklist as likely to help locate effective treatment earlier. The checklist forms a basis for a useful consumer tool in their treatment journey. Examination of its uptake and impact on outcomes for consumers seeking treatment is recommended.