Challenges in Making the Transition Between Pediatric and Adult Eating Disorder Programs: A Qualitative Study From the Perspective of Service Providers

Abstract

There is scant research regarding the transition from pediatric to adult eating disorder programs. This study aims to increase understanding of the factors that impede or facilitate successful service transition for individuals with anorexia nervosa moving from pediatric to adult eating disorder programs. Participants included service providers representing pediatric and adult eating disorder programs, in addition to community treatment providers in a large city. The following themes were identified: a) readiness, not age, should determine service transition; and b) implementation of interventions for facilitating transition from pediatric to adult eating disorder programs including appropriate medical follow-up. These findings delineate various factors that may help facilitate or interrupt a seamless and coordinated transition from pediatric to adult eating disorder programs.

Acknowledgments

Research was conducted at the Eating Disorders Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network.

Notes

¹The letters in parenthesis denotes the participant's role, where C = community service provider, A = AEDP adult service provider, and P = PEDP pediatric service provider.