title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. gina.dimitropoulos@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dimitropoulos
authors.forename: Angela Faith
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Payal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sheffield
authors.forename: Blake
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Woodside
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016390:Allied Health Occupations / Q000592:standards; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000628:therapy*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods*; D006296:Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013997:Time Factors; D060305:Transition to Adult Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D000078329:Workforce