Day hospitalization programs for eating disorders: a systematic review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
Partial day hospitalization programs for the treatment of eating disorders are increasingly being developed worldwide.


METHODS
First, a systematic database search of day hospitalization programs for eating disorders, published in either English or German, was conducted. Programs that provided sufficient information on their program structure were summarized and compared across various dimensions. Second, the responsible program directors were contacted to provide additional information regarding outcome data, current trends, challenges, and future directions of their programs. Third, outcome data from day programs presented at international conferences were included to expand the base of the review.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the programs from different countries and health care environments varied in terms of their purpose and operated within very different health care systems, many similarities were found to exist, including the use of a multidisciplinary staff and reliance on group treatment as the primary means of therapy. Marked differences were noted in terms of inclusion criteria and intensity of care.
Zipfel
Stephan
S
Department of General Internal and Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. stefan_zipfel@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Reas
Deborah L
DL
Thornton
Chris
C
Olmsted
Marion P
MP
Williamson
Donald A
DA
Gerlinghoff
Monika
M
Herzog
Wolfgang
W
Beumont
Peter J
PJ
D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana; D009864:Ontario; D016896:Treatment Outcome