The costs and benefits of intensive day treatment programs and outpatient treatments for eating disorders: An idea worth researching. Issue 7 (7th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ali, Sarrah I.; Bodnar, Emma; Gamberg, Susan; Bartel, Sara J.; Waller, Glenn; Nunes, Abraham; Dixon, Laura; Keshen, Aaron
• Is Part Of: International journal of eating disorders. Volume 54:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 1099
• Page End: 1105
• Publication Date: 2021-04-07
• Subjects: adults -- day treatment programs -- eating disorders -- outpatient treatment -- psychotherapy -- scoping review -- stepped care; Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Ingestion disorders -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.23514
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3478

Abstract

Abstract: Outpatient care (e.g., individual, group, or self‐help therapies) and day treatment programs (DTPs) are common and effective treatments for adults with eating disorders. Compared to outpatient care, DTPs have additional expenses and could have unintended iatrogenic effects (e.g., may create an overly protective environment that undermines self‐efficacy). However, these potential downsides may be offset if DTPs are shown to have advantages over outpatient care. To explore this question, our team conducted a scoping review that aimed to synthesize the existing body of adult eating disorder literature (a) comparing outcomes for DTPs to outpatient care, and (b) examining the use of DTPs as a higher level of care in a stepped care model. Only four studies met the predefined search criteria. The limited results suggest that the treatments have similar effects and that outpatient care is more cost‐effective. Furthermore, no studies explored the use of DTPs as a higher level of care in a stepped care model (despite international guidelines recommending this approach). Given the clear dearth of literature on this clinically relevant topic, we have provided specific avenues for further research.