PARENTAL EVALUATION OF TREATMENT OUTCOME AND SATISFACTION WITH AN INPATIENT PROGRAM FOR EATING DISORDERS

This study is concerned with the service provided to adolescent patien ts with eating disorders admitted to a private hospital. The patients' parents were asked to evaluate the service. Parental satisfaction was assessed by means of a questionnaire devised for this purpose and com ments were elicited as to how the service could be improved. Parents o f a consecutive series of 56 patients were asked to complete the quest ionnaire 6 months after admission; 82% (N=46) responded. Most parents were pleased with the service provided but nevertheless many made some criticisms (35%) or suggestions for improvement (37%). The parental r esponses were discussed with the staff involved in treatment, resultin g in changes to the service.