Table 2 Summary of the conceptual categories that emerged from parent interviews, and the classification of these categories into high-level concepts
From: Parental experiences with their child’s eating disorder treatment journey
High-level Concepts | Conceptual Categories |
|---|---|
Delays in identifying eating disorder symptoms | • Parents did not recognize eating disorder symptoms or were not concerned in the early stages of changes to eating behaviour • Eating disorder slipped under the radar due to gender/age |
Challenges with accessing eating disorder services | • Delays in referral to appropriate services • Lack of appropriate services in home community • Delays in accessing treatment/waitlists |
Right treatment at the right time | • Lack of therapeutic care or unhelpful therapeutic care • Bouncing between care providers • Timing of admission/logistical issues affecting care |
Emotional impact on parents | • Anxiety about accessing an appropriate treatment, feeling at a loss about how to best support their child • Anger, frustration, desperation and guilt in the early stages of the treatment journey • Relief upon being connected with an appropriate treatment |
Parental expertise and involvement | • Caregiver knows best • Advocacy in treatment planning • Developing a better understanding of the recovery process • Involvement during treatment helped improve confidence at the time of discharge |