Hospitalization due to eating behavior disorders. Patient and family satisfaction

Abstract

Objective. In this paper, we assess the quality of an inpatient unit for eating disorders from the patients' and their parents' perspective in order to clarify some clinical questions concerning inpatient treatment.

Method. A satisfaction questionnaire was designed with open and closed questions separately for the patients and their relatives. The first type of items (53 for patients and 15 for relatives) were analyzed by the standard statistical methods. The second type (one question per questionnaire) was studied with the help of qualitative techniques. It was sent to all discharged patients (n = 299). We obtained the data from the answers (n = 174) and then looked for correlations with factors as compulsory admission at the hospital, age of patients and duration of the disorder.

Results. A high level of general satisfaction was obtained by patients and parents answering the closed questions. The open one, discriminates among shades of meaning. coercive factors, such as compulsory admission, did not affect the level of satisfaction in our study. While most patients were concerned about excessive supervision and lack of privacy, many parents considered control measures as scarce and asked for support upon discharge.

Conclusion. Along general lines, hospitalization has been satisfactory for both the patients and their family. Forced admission did not significantly intervene in the subsequent satisfaction of the patient.