title: Active waiting list management: potential usefulness in a community eating disorders service.
abstract: We explored the usefulness of an initiative for managing a treatment waiting list in a community eating disorders service. We sent 108 patients awaiting treatment an opt-in letter and, if necessary, a reminder 3 weeks later. Those who opted in were compared with those who did not. Of those receiving the letter, 67.6% opted in and did not differ significantly from those who opted out on measures of eating disorder pathology and general functioning. However, they had waited less time. Opt-in letters may help to identify those who no longer want to access services, thereby allowing resources to be directed towards those who still want treatment.
authors.affiliation: a Eating Disorders Service , Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust , Southampton , UK.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014850:Waiting Lists; D055815:Young Adult