The Double-Edged Sword of Translational Research: Stakeholder Perspectives of the Enablers and Challenges Implementing Anorexia Nervosa Treatment in Rural Health Settings

Abstract

Objective

To explore the translational research processes that emerged at the early phase of the implementation of telehealth-delivered family-based therapy (FBT) for young people with anorexia nervosa (AN) attending Australian rural health services.

Setting

Commencing mid-2019, five rural health districts across New South Wales (NSW) participated in the study.

Participants

Nine stakeholders, including study coordinators, clinicians and eating disorder coordinators, participated in a semi-structured interview during the early implementation of telehealth-delivered FBT.

Design

Inductive thematic analysis methodology was used to identify key research factors that enabled and challenged the implementation.

Results

The translational research improved patient access to evidence-based care, afforded health services access to clinical expertise, workforce training and supervision and assisted with meeting government directives of improving care pathways. However, the study and intervention implementation were challenged by research-related factors, including ethical and clinical dilemmas, the burden of stakeholders holding multiple roles and general challenges associated with integrating research into non-academic health services.

Conclusion

To optimise implementation and to bridge the access gaps particularly felt by rural families and health settings, translational studies ought to consider the enablers and challenges identified by the stakeholders.

Trial Registration

ACTRN12620001107910