Multidisciplinary implementation of family-based treatment delivered by videoconferencing (FBT-V) for adolescent anorexia nervosa during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Family-Based Treatment (FBT)-the most widely supported treatment for pediatric eating disorders-transitioned to virtual delivery in many programs due to COVID-19. Using a blended implementation approach, we systematically examined therapist adherence to key components of FBT and fidelity to FBT by videoconferencing (FBT-V), preliminary patient outcomes, and team experiences with our FBT-V implementation approach as well as familial perceptions of FBT-V effectiveness. We examined our implementation approach across four pediatric eating disorder programs in Ontario, Canada, using mixed methods. Participants included therapists (n = 8), medical practitioners (n = 4), administrators (n = 6), and families (n = 5; 21 family members in total). We developed implementation teams at each site, provided FBT-V training, and offered clinical and implementation consultation. Therapists submitted video recordings of their first four FBT-V sessions for fidelity rating, and patient outcomes. Therapists self-reported readiness, attitudes, confidence, and adherence to FBT-V. Focus groups were conducted with each team and family after the first four sessions of FBT-V. Quantitative data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Qualitative data were analyzed using directed and summative content analysis. Therapists adhered to key FBT components and maintained FBT-V fidelity. Changes in therapists' readiness, attitudes, and confidence in FBT-V over time were not significant. All patients gained weight. Focus groups revealed implementation facilitators/barriers, positives/negatives surrounding FBT-V training and consultation, suggestions for improvement, and effectiveness attributed to FBT-V. Our implementation approach appeared to be feasible and acceptable. Future research with a larger sample is required, furthering our understanding of this approach and exploring how organizational factors influence treatment fidelity.

We qualitatively and quantitatively examined the initial implementation (the first four sessions) of Family-Based Treatment (FBT) delivered by videoconferencing (FBT-V) during the COVID-19 pandemic using an evidence-based implementation approach. This included developing implementation teams (consisting of a lead therapist, medical practitioner, and program administrator) at each site, providing FBT-V training to all participants, and offering clinical consultation to all participating therapists and implementation consultation to implementation teams. Therapists were required to submit video recordings of their first four FBT-V sessions. Therapist adherence to key components of FBT as well as fidelity to the FBT-V model, team and family experiences with FBT-V, and preliminary patient outcomes (e.g., weight gain) were examined. Our findings suggest that our implementation approach was feasible and acceptable; therapists adhered to key FBT components and maintained FBT-V fidelity, patients gained weight, and teams and families expressed satisfaction with our intervention. Further research is needed with a larger sample and for a longer duration.

A qualitative evaluation of team and family perceptions of family-based treatment delivered by videoconferencing (FBT-V) for adolescent Anorexia Nervosa during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, outpatient eating disorder care, including Family-Based Treatment (FBT), rapidly transitioned from in-person to virtual delivery in many programs. This paper reports on the experiences of teams and families with FBT delivered by videoconferencing (FBT-V) who were part of a larger implementation study. METHODS: Four pediatric eating disorder programs in Ontario, Canada, including their therapists (n = 8), medical practitioners (n = 4), administrators (n = 6), and families (n = 5), participated in our study. We provided FBT-V training and delivered clinical consultation. Therapists recorded and submitted their first four FBT-V sessions. Focus groups were conducted with teams and families at each site after the first four FBT-V sessions. Focus group transcripts were transcribed verbatim and key concepts were identified through line-by-line reading and categorizing of the text. All transcripts were double-coded. Focus group data were analyzed using directed and summative qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of focus group data from teams and families revealed four overarching categories-pros of FBT-V, cons of FBT-V, FBT-V process, and suggestions for enhancing and improving FBT-V. Pros included being able to treat more patients and developing a better understanding of family dynamics by being virtually invited into the family's home (identified by teams), as well as convenience and comfort (identified by families). Both teams and families recognized technical difficulties as a potential con of FBT-V, yet teams also commented on distractions in family homes as a con, while families expressed difficulties in developing therapeutic rapport. Regarding FBT-V process, teams and families discussed the importance and challenge of patient weighing at home. In terms of suggestions for improvement, teams proposed assessing a family's suitability or motivation for FBT-V to ensure it would be appropriate, while families strongly suggested implementing hybrid models of FBT in the future which would include some in-person and some virtual sessions. CONCLUSION: Team and family perceptions of FBT-V were generally positive, indicating acceptability and feasibility of this treatment. Suggestions for improved FBT-V practices were made by both groups, and require future investigation, such as examining hybrid models of FBT that involve in-person and virtual elements. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04678843 .

Adapting and adopting highly specialized pediatric eating disorder treatment to virtual care: a protocol for an implementation study in the COVID-19 context.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted individuals with eating disorders; resulting in increased symptoms, as well as feelings of isolation and anxiety. To conform with social distancing requirements, outpatient eating disorder treatment in Canada is being delivered virtually, but a lack of direction surrounding this change creates challenges for practitioners, patients, and families. As a result, there is an urgent need to not only adapt evidence-based care, including family-based treatment (FBT), to virtual formats, but to study its implementation in eating disorder programs. We propose to study the initial adaptation and adoption of virtual family-based treatment (vFBT) with the ultimate goal of improving access to services for youth with eating disorders. METHODS: We will use a multi-site case study with a mixed method pre/post design to examine the impact of our implementation approach across four pediatric eating disorder programs. We will develop implementation teams at each site (consisting of therapists, medical practitioners, and program administrators), provide a remote training workshop on vFBT, and offer ongoing consultation during the initial implementation phase. Therapists will submit videorecordings of their first four vFBT sessions. We propose to study our implementation approach by examining (1) whether the key components of standard FBT are maintained in virtual delivery measured by therapist self-report, (2) fidelity to our vFBT model measured by expert fidelity rating of submitted videorecordings of the first four sessions of vFBT, (3) team and patient/family experiences with vFBT assessed with qualitative interviews, and (4) patient outcomes measured by weight and binge/purge frequency reported by therapists. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate an implementation strategy for virtually delivered FBT for eating disorders. Challenges to date include confirming site participation and obtaining ethics approval at all locations. This research is imperative to inform the delivery of vFBT in the COVID-19 context. It also has implications for delivery in a post-pandemic era where virtual services may be preferable to patients and families living in remote locations, where access to specialized services is extremely limited. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04678843 , registered on December 21, 2020.

Implementation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in a Day Hospital Setting for Adolescents with Eating Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This article discusses the implementation and preliminary outcomes of a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) informed program integrated with Family Based Therapy (FBT) for adolescents with eating disorders within a day hospital program (DHP). METHOD: A retrospective analysis of hospital records between 2013-2015 provided descriptive characteristics of patients. Weight and percentage ideal body weight at admission and discharge, frequency of binge and purge episodes at discharge and readmissions were analysed. RESULTS: Analysis of patient characteristics indicated a broad range of eating disorder and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses among patients. Preliminary outcomes revealed increased weight and percentage of ideal body weight, decreased binge-purge status and few readmissions to the program over the two-year period studied. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a DBT informed DHP with integration of FBT is associated with improved patient outcomes. Ongoing challenges with respect to the implementation of DBT include modifying DBT to address varying developmental levels, ages and diagnoses and promoting adherence to the program by patients and families. Limitations include small sample size, uncontrolled chart review and the nature of DHP, which include a variety of components that may influence outcomes. This research will help to inform future implementation of treatment programs for adolescents with eating disorders.

OBJECTIF: Cet article discute de la mise en oeuvre et des résultats préliminaires d'un programme éclairé de thérapie comportementale dialectique (TCD) intégré à la thérapie familiale (TF) pour des adolescents souffrant de troubles alimentaires dans le cadre d'un programme d'hôpital de jour (PHJ). MÉTHODE: Une analyse rétrospective des dossiers de l'hôpital entre 2013 et 2015 a livré les caractéristiques descriptives des patients. Le poids et le pourcentage du poids corporel idéal à l'admission et au congé, la fréquence des épisodes d'hyperphagie et de purge lors du congé et les réadmissions ont été analysés. RÉSULTATS: L'analyse des caractéristiques des patients a indiqué une vaste gamme de troubles alimentaires et des diagnostics psychiatriques comorbides chez les patients. Les résultats préliminaires ont révélé un poids et un pourcentage accrus du poids corporel idéal, un état diminué de l'hyperphagie-purge, et peu de réadmissions dans le programme sur les deux ans de la période de l'étude. CONCLUSIONS: La mise en oeuvre d'un PHJ éclairé par la TCD intégrée dans la TF est associée à de meilleurs résultats chez les patients. Les difficultés actuelles à l'égard de la mise en oeuvre de la TCD consistent à modifier la TCD pour tenir compte des niveaux de développement variés, de l'âge et des diagnostics, et pour promouvoir l'adhésion au programme par les patients et les familles. Les limitations comprennent la petite taille de l'échantillon, un examen des dossiers incontrôlé et la nature du PHJ, qui englobe une variété de composantes susceptibles d'influer sur les résultats. Cette recherche aidera à éclairer la future mise en oeuvre des programmes de traitement pour les adolescents souffrant de troubles alimentaires.