Table 5 Acceptability of brief family consultation for addressing participant presenting problems

Discussed

They were well covered. I am very pleased with the issues we discussed.

Pretty good. We did talk about her experiences and how I can help better.

We talked about that. It was hard though.

Well discussed at meeting.

Was discussed. Given things to try but still difficult.

It was good that we definitely talked about this and made a plan.

Addressed

I thought these questions/issues were addressed very well. We both felt supported and were given the chance to voice our opinions. I felt listened to and respected.

These questions were addressed well. We went through them quite methodologically and had ample opportunity to address other questions that arose

They were addressed and sorted out.

All points were addressed quite well in the limited time. The last point however, I feel was address the best—we now have set guidelines for this and I found it extremely helpful

They were addressed reasonably well but there was a larger focus on my family's understanding of my ED rather than my experience of the ED.

During the session topics were raised and discussed, but not answered. But during the break {partner} and I successfully continued the conversation around maintaining weight.

I felt the session thoroughly addressed my concerns. These were addressed effectively and I was pleased that all topics were able to be covered.

We've discussed but haven't been able to implement as {daughter} very unhappy all the time.

We did talk about this a lot so it was addressed which was good because I find this hard to discuss with him.

They were addressed but she still has the eating disorder.

They were addressed well.

The issue regarding communication was addressed most fully—particularly in relation to the program. The suggestion that we schedule a weekly meeting was taken on-board by the three of us.

Covered well/fully addressed.

Effect of addressing presenting problems/outcomes

Plan in place to have bi-weekly meetings together. {Partner} understands his responsibilities. I agree with what needs to be done each week in terms of planning. Able to be assertive of my needs and open with {partner}.

Have had family meetings Sunday night. Are talking more openly about things.

I felt my parents were educated a bit more.

It was particularly useful to set up a regular (time-limited) meeting with {daughter} to facilitate discussion and to receive feedback about her week on the program. Doing this in the family session made it more likely to happen! I think there will be a carry-over of this more generally.

I feel that I put what I needed on the table and now we are more. focused on moving forward.

Some good strategies have been suggested (and been used to good effect) but there's quite a lot of stress and it will take a long time to get back to a more relaxed state.

We focused a lot on creating and opportunity to have a deliberate conversation each week about the program and my ED—I found this beneficial. We did not get to cover ways of coping outside the Day program.

This was done, that is how to communicate better, and we now have a way to talk about things, a regular time, and we have started doing that.

Break through moment, very necessary in continuing to answer these questions. Has helped in breaking the ice- easier for both of us to reach out now, even for trivial things.

We talked about what my role is, i.e., to offer moral support, solidarity, more prompting/reminding not policing and breakfast strategies.

I feel that we addressed things very well. As partially a result from the family consult, I feel incredible committed to my recover and meeting the weight target at QuEDS. I was especially rational the day following the family consult.

It was a really good session. To have both the therapists there and to get to hear about how {daughter’s} treatment is going was great. I’m so happy she’s finally getting some help.

Addressed quite well and helped open a gate for more communication outside.

I think {daughter} agreed, and I am hoping, that she will let me know when and if she needs my help. I don't see her every day, but we catch up almost daily.

We talked about things but it is still hard at home. Not everything is fixed but they are a bit more aware.