Background: Anorexia nervosa is a serious, albeit common mental illness that generally occurs during adolescence. Although outpatient care is recommended, hospitalisation is sometimes required. There is a dedicated hospitalisation unit caring for children and adolescents presenting with anorexia nervosa in Nancy, France. However, on 16 March 2020, a national lockdown was declared by the French government as the COVID-19 pandemic escalated in France. This resulted in the adjustment of hospital admissions accompanied by premature discharge and an intensive outpatient care programme. In the light of such changes, consideration should be given to the potential impact of changes in the care pattern for anorexic patients and their parents. The purpose of our study was to explore the experiences of anorexia nervosa patients hospitalised in the unit, and their parents, following changes in the care strategy.
Methods: The study was conducted between weeks four and eight after lockdown was announced. The study cohort included all the patients treated for anorexia nervosa and hospitalised in the treatment unit before 16 March 2020 and their parents. A qualitative method was used and every subject was offered a semi-structured interview. Data were analysed by means of inductive thematic analysis.
Results: Seven superordinate themes were identified: positive aspects, concerns, preparation, loss of landmarks and hospital security, gradual return to a "normal" life, relational aspects and the likelihood of disease progression. Moreover, all the parents and patients were satisfied with the intensive outpatient care offered on discharge.
Conclusion: Despite initial ambivalence, all patients and their parents viewed this unexpected hospital discharge positively in these exceptional conditions. This suggests that restructuring the care programme could prove beneficial with increasing use of outpatient management, thereby reducing the length of the hospital stay and adjusting the return to school.
Trial registration: ID-RCB 2020-A01101-38-This project was approved by the Comité de Protection des Personnes (CPP) Sud Méditerranée IV [South Mediterranean IV Ethics Committee (EC)] on 5 May 2020.
Keywords: Adolescent psychiatry; Anorexia nervosa; COVID-19 pandemic; Care reorganisation; Hospitalisation; Qualitative study.
Anorexia nervosa is a common mental health condition in the adolescent population. A set care protocol is in place and patients presenting this condition experience difficulty in adapting to change. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was escalating in France and a national lockdown was declared by the French government on 16 March. In Nancy, France, we opted for premature discharge where possible and an intensive outpatient care programme in accordance with government recommendations. The purpose of our study was to investigate the experiences of patients and their parents regarding changes in the care strategy following lockdown. We found that patients and parents viewed the reorganisation of care in a positive light, particularly in terms of absence from school and intensive outpatient care. Our research could also benefit adolescents presenting with anorexia nervosa and undergoing restructuring of their care programme.
© 2022. The Author(s).