Reimagining care: effectiveness of modifying an adolescent eating disorder intensive service.

Aims and method: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a surge in adolescent eating disorders and rapid changes in the delivery of intensive community treatments. This study investigates the modification from a group-based day programme to an intensive family treatment approach. A retrospective chart review was performed on data from 190 patients who accessed the intensive service for anorexia nervosa in the past 6 years. Outcomes from the traditional model were compared with the new intensive family model, namely length of admission, percentage median body mass index difference and transfers to in-patient services.

Results: There was a significant reduction in the length of intensive treatment (from 143.19 to 97.20 days). The number of transfers to specialist eating disorder in-patient services also significantly reduced, and is decreasing year on year.

Clinical implications: The findings hold particular relevance as intensive services for adolescent eating disorders continue to be established within health services, with no clear unified approach to treatment.