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Obeid N, Silva-Roy P, Booij L, Coelho JS, Dimitropoulos G, Katzman DK. The financial and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth with eating disorders, their families, clinicians and the mental health system: a mixed methods cost analysis. J Eat Disord 2024; 12:43. [PMID: 38553730 PMCID: PMC10979568 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-024-00986-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on children, youth, and families with eating disorders (EDs). The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing personal and financial costs to youth, caregivers, and health professionals accessing or delivering ED services. The objectives of this mixed methods study were to (1) understand the indirect, direct medical and non-medical costs reported by youth, caregivers, and clinicians; (2) understand how the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted these costs, and (3) explore implications of these costs with regards to barriers and resources to inform future decisions for the ED system of care. METHODS Youth (aged 16-25 years) with lived/living experience, primary caregivers, clinicians, and decision-makers were recruited with support from various partners across Canada to complete group specific surveys. A total of 117 participants responded to the survey. From those respondents, 21 individuals volunteered to further participate in either a discussion group or individual interview to provide additional insights on costs. RESULTS Youth and primary caregivers reported costs relating to private services, transportation and impacts of not attending school or work. Additionally, primary caregivers reported the top direct medical cost being special food or nutritional supplements (82.8%). In discussion groups, youth and caregivers elaborated further on the challenges with long waitlists and cancelled services, impact on siblings and effect on family dynamics. Clinicians and decision-makers reported increased work expectations (64.3%) and fear/isolation due to COVID-19 in the workplace (58.9%). Through discussion groups, clinicians expanded further on the toll these expectations took on their personal life. Approximately 1 in 3 health professionals reported contemplating leaving their position in 1-2 years, with greater than 60% of this group stating this is directly related to working during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Findings demonstrate the need for increased support for youth and caregivers when accessing ED services both during crisis and non-crisis times. Additionally, attention must be given to acknowledging the experience of health professionals to support better retention and resource management as they continue to navigate challenges in the health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Obeid
- Eating Disorders Research Lab, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Patricia Silva-Roy
- Eating Disorders Research Lab, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- Eating Disorders Continuum, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jennifer S Coelho
- Provincial Specialized Eating Disorders Program for Children and Adolescents, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gina Dimitropoulos
- Calgary Eating Disorder Program, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Debra K Katzman
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Jo Driscoll D, Jennings R, Clifford M, Maher C, Corbett M, Wade S, Dunne D, Collins C, McDevitt S. HSE National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders in Ireland: COVID-19 pandemic and eating disorder care in a new national eating disorder service. Int J Eat Disord 2023; 56:1637-1643. [PMID: 37097813 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic experience was different in each country (e.g., prevalence, societal restrictions). There is limited data on eating disorder (ED) diagnosis and service activity trends within Ireland. The aim of this study is to describe the ED referral and hospitalization trends during COVID-19 in Ireland. METHOD Monthly data (2019-2021) from three regional community ED services (two-child and one-adult) were collected. National psychiatric and medical hospitalization data were analyzed. A descriptive and trend analysis was performed. RESULTS There was a trend of referrals to community ED services during the COVID-19 pandemic for children (p < .0001) and adults (p = .0019). Albeit the increase in child referrals was evident at an earlier point before adult referrals. There was a trend of a diagnosis for children and adults of anorexia nervosa (p < .0001; p = .0257) and other-specified-feeding-or-eating-disorder (OSFED) respectively (p = .0037; p = .0458). There was no trend in psychiatric co-morbidity. There was a trend of child (p = .0003) not adult (n = 0.1669) psychiatric hospitalization. There was a trend of medical hospitalization for child and adult combined (p < .0001). CONCLUSION This study adds to the growing literature on the association of the COVID-19 pandemic on ED trends and the need for future public health and service provision funding to be allocated for mental health services during periods of international crisis. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE This study illustrates the referral and hospitalization trend in young persons and adults with an ED in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study highlights that there was a trend of Anorexia Nervosa and OSFED presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Jo Driscoll
- Child and Adolescent Regional Eating Disorder Service Cork and Kerry (CAREDS), Cork and Kerry Mental Health Services, Cork, Ireland
- National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Rhona Jennings
- National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michelle Clifford
- National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
- Linn Dara Community Eating Disorder Service, Linn Dara Community Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Caroline Maher
- National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
- St. Vincent's University Hospital Eating Disorder Service, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marie Corbett
- Child and Adolescent Regional Eating Disorder Service Cork and Kerry (CAREDS), Cork and Kerry Mental Health Services, Cork, Ireland
- National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah Wade
- National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
- St. Vincent's University Hospital Eating Disorder Service, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deirdre Dunne
- National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
- St. Vincent's University Hospital Eating Disorder Service, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ciara Collins
- National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
- Linn Dara Community Eating Disorder Service, Linn Dara Community Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sara McDevitt
- Child and Adolescent Regional Eating Disorder Service Cork and Kerry (CAREDS), Cork and Kerry Mental Health Services, Cork, Ireland
- National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Couturier J, Sami S, Nicula M, Pellegrini D, Webb C, Johnson N, Lock J. Examining the feasibility of a parental self-help intervention for families awaiting pediatric eating disorder services. Int J Eat Disord 2023; 56:276-281. [PMID: 36285643 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Waitlists for eating disorder (ED) services grew immensely during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, we studied the feasibility of a novel parental self-help waitlist intervention. METHOD Parents of a child/adolescent (7-17 years) awaiting pediatric ED services were provided with our intervention, adapted from the family-based treatment model, and consisting of videos and reading material with no therapist involvement. Parent-reported child/adolescent weight was collected weekly 6 weeks pre-intervention, 2 weeks during the intervention, and 6-week post-intervention. Recruitment and retention rates were calculated. Regression-based interrupted time series analyses were completed to measure changes in the rate of weight gain. RESULTS Ninety-seven parents were approached, and 30 agreed to participate (31% recruitment rate). All but one completed end-of-study measures (97% retention rate). The average rate of weight gain was 0.24 lbs/week pre-intervention, which increased significantly to 0.78 lbs/week post-intervention (p < .034). DISCUSSION Our findings provide preliminary evidence that this intervention is feasible. Future research is needed to confirm the efficacy of this intervention on a larger scale. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in several challenges in providing care for children and adolescents with eating disorders, including long waiting lists and delays in treatment. This study suggests that providing parents on a waitlist with educational videos and reading material is acceptable to parents, and may even help in improving the child's symptoms of an eating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Couturier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Eating Disorder Program, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sadaf Sami
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Nicula
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle Pellegrini
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cheryl Webb
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Eating Disorder Program, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natasha Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Eating Disorder Program, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Lock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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Maddalena Sirufoa M, Maria Magnanimia L, Ginaldia L, De Martinisa M. Eating Disorders, COVID-19, and Autoimmunity. Pediatr Ann 2022; 51:e299. [PMID: 35938899 DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20220706-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abstract
Adolescents and young adults (AYA) use social media more than any other generation, including to learn about their health. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic further accelerated both health harming and health benefits of technology use. Also, during this time, medical professionals moved more quickly to virtual visits, changing AYA, family, and provider interactions and expectations. Remote health care, broader technology use, and improved youth engagement have the potential to address long-standing barriers to health equity. Telehealth disadvantages still exist, however, especially for those with decreased access. Recent rapid changes have not allowed for sufficient study to address optimizing the experience, effectiveness, and utilization of remote health care. Fortunately, because of their expansive engagement with social media and technology, AYA are paving the way toward a digital health future. Health professionals are encouraged to improve their virtual and social media interactions with AYA patients, while finding ways to improve health equity. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51(4):e161-e166.].
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