Inpatient medical stabilization for adolescents with eating disorders: patient and parent perspectives

Purpose The serious physical complications of eating disorders in adolescents may necessitate inpatient medical stabilization, yet little is known about how patients and their parents perceive the hospitalization experience. Methods We identified 82 patients admitted to a large urban hospital for medical stabilization between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2013. Twenty-three patients and 32 parents completed directed telephone interviews. Respondents rated components of the inpatient protocol using five-point Likert scales and answered open-ended questions regarding hospitalization. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. Results The mean age of patients at admission was 14.9 years (range 9-21) and the average stay was 8.4 days (range 2-25). Patients rated "massage therapy" most helpful and "cell phone limits" least helpful. Parents rated "nursing staff" most helpful and "seeing other patients in the hospital" least helpful. Protocol components viewed differently by parents and patients included parents more strongly endorsing "staff supervision of meals" (4.34 vs 2.82, p < 0.001) and "limits on physical activity" (4.34 vs 3.23, p = 0.001). The two most common themes identified in open-ended questions were need for hospitalization as a signifier of eating disorder severity and desire for mental health services on the medical unit. Parents emphasized the value of dietician-directed meal planning. Conclusions Inpatient medical stabilization for adolescent eating disorders may play an important role not only in addressing acute medical complications, but also in activating the patient and family regarding the need for ongoing treatment. Parents particularly appreciate staff supervision of meals and having a respite from meal planning.