title: Service providers' perceptions of the strengths and prospective improvements in UK eating disorder services: findings from a Royal College survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to explore perceptions of eating disorder service strengths and to develop a clearer picture of improvements clinicians would like to see occur in the services they lead. A survey designed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Section of Eating Disorders was completed by 83 lead clinicians in both public and private sector services in the UK and Eire. Content analysis was performed, and common themes were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five main strengths of a service were identified as follows: quality of treatment (n = 36), staff skills (n = 21), continuity of care (n = 15), family involvement (n = 12) and accessibility and availability (n = 11). These themes also arose when clinicians evaluated areas they wished to develop and improve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Service providers' views were congruent with each other, NICE guidelines and quality standards as proposed by the Royal College. Although clinicians feel that their service fulfils many practice guidelines, there remains areas in which adherence is felt to be lacking.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK. antonia.koskina@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koskina
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arkell
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gowers
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Key
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: Dasha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ringwood
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Lakshmi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Venkatraman
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wurr
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom