ACDED: Advance Choice Documents for people with Eating Disorders
Overview
This study is looking at the use of Advance Choice Documents for people with diagnoses of eating disorders. An ACD is a document that allows you to have a say in how you wish to be treated in the future if you become unwell and lose the capacity to make decisions about your care. An ACD helps healthcare professionals understand what you would like them to do, and how to treat you, if you become unwell. ACDs are used if you need to go to hospital and are detained (“sectioned”) under the Mental Health Act (MHA).
The aim of this study is to understand any concerns or barriers regarding ACDs for people with a diagnosis of an eating disorder and to develop resources for making an ACD which have been adapted for the specific needs of people who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder.
What will it involve?
Phase 1: We are looking for service users and their carers/supporters to join focus groups to find out people’s views on ACDs and to make sure the current resources are suitable for people with a diagnosis of an eating disorder.
Phase 2: We will be recruiting people who have previously been detained under the Mental Health Act and are currently under the care of Eating Disorder Services to make an ACD and be interviewed about their experience.
Who are we looking to recruit?
For Phase 1 we are looking for service users who:
• Have previously been detained under the Mental Health Act
• Are currently under the care of Eating Disorder Services
• Are 16 years old and above
We are also looking for carers/supporters of service users who meet these criteria to find out their views in a separate focus group.
For Phase 2 we are looking for service users who:
• Have previously been detained under the Mental Health Act
• Are currently under the care of Eating Disorder Services
• Are 16 years old and above
• And would be interested in making an ACD and being interviewed about their experience
Rewards and expenses
Phase 1: You will receive a £20 voucher for joining a focus group
Phase 2: You will receive a £15 voucher for each interview
Travel costs can also be reimbursed.
Are you interested in taking part in this study?
Planned end date
05 Nov 2027 12:28Conditions
Eating DisordersPeople types
Adolescent 13 - 17,Adult 18+Inclusion Criteria
Phase 1: Focus groups
Service users
a) Aged ≥ 16 years
b) Experienced detention under the MHA
c) Currently under the care of Eating Disorder Services
Carers / Informal supporters
a) Aged ≥ 16 years
b) A relative or friend of a service user who is eligible for the study
Professionals
a) Professionals potentially involved in supporting the completion of ACDs (i.e. staff working in Eating Disorder
Services, advocates, peer workers)
b) SLaM professionals potentially involved in referring to ACDs (i.e. inpatient and emergency department liaison
mental health staff)
c) Approved mental health professionals (AMHPs) and Section 12 (MHA) approved doctors involved in detention.
d) Ambulance and Emergency Department staff
e) General Practitioners, including mental health leads, or other primary care professionals who care for people with
eating disorders discharged from secondary services
Phase 2: ACD creation and follow up
Service users
a) Aged ≥ 16 years
b) Experienced detention under the MHA
c) Currently under the care of Eating Disorder Services
Professionals
a) Staff members involved in completing ACD’s for patients with eating disorders (facilitators and other members of
the team who are involved)
b) Staff who refer to the ACD in clinical records (based on a records search at follow-up) such as, mental health professionals, section 12 (MHA) approved doctors, staff working in Eating Disorder Services (inpatient, outpatient and
day services), advocates, and peer workers.
Service users and professionals taking part in Phase 2 do not need to have participated in Phase 1 to be eligible.
Exclusion Criteria
Phase 1: Stakeholder focus groups
Service users
a) Aged under 16 years
b) Lacks capacity, is unable or unwilling to give consent
c) Is currently detained under the MHA at a psychiatric hospital
d) Is not currently under the care of Eating Disorder Services
Carers
a) Aged under 16 years
b) Is not a relative or friend of a service user who is eligible for the study
Professionals
a) Is not an approved mental health professional or Section 12 (MHA) approved doctor
b) Is not a professional involved in supporting the completion of an ACD
c) Is not a General Practitioner or other healthcare professional caring for people with eating disorders discharged
from secondary services.
Phase 2: Prospective study of ACD creation and follow up
Service users
a) Aged under 16 years
b) Lacks capacity, is unable or unwilling to give consent
c) Is currently detained under the MHA at a psychiatric hospital
d) Is not currently under the care of Eating Disorder Services
Professionals
a) Is not involved in completion of ACDs for patients with eating disorders
b) Is not involved in the care of anyone with an ACD