An exploration of patient experiences of transitioning to a remote day programme following inpatient treatment in an adult eating disorder service

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Abstract
Introduction: Day care (DC) treatment for people with an eating disorder (ED) provides for an easier transition from hospital to home, along with a treatment milieu where patients can maintain occupational and social functioning and allow for the transfer of newly acquired skills to everyday life. Aim: To explore patients' experiences of attending a remote day programme following intense inpatient treatment in an adult ED service. Method: A qualitative descriptive methodology informed the study. In depth semi structured interviews were conducted with 10 consenting patients. A thematic analysis framework was used to guide the process of data analysis. Results: Three themes reflected participants' experiences: Moving On: Preparing for Change', Navigating a New Support System' and Increasing Agency'. Discussion: An underlying issue for participants was an ongoing but changing experience of anxiety. While anticipatory anxiety is evident in preparing for discharge, this is replaced with a real time anxiety as they endeavour to negotiate an effective support network. Implications for Practice: The findings from this study provide a basis on which mental health nurses can develop timely and effective treatment and support systems with patients who are transitioning from a high support inpatient ED programme to a less intensive ED remote DC programme.

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