| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to support caregivers of patients with eating disorders by delivering an evidence-based intervention designed to decrease caregiving burden and illness maintaining behaviors at a regional eating disorder and weight management center (EDWMC). Based on the Cognitive Interpersonal Maintenance Model, the intervention developed by Treasure and colleagues (2006) was shown to improve caregivers’ sense of self-efficacy, interaction with their loved ones, and their loved ones’ outcomes. After receiving the training materials, caregivers of previous studies reported decreases in caregiving burden and illness maintaining behaviors. Furthermore, patients with caregivers who received the intervention also improved their body mass indexes (BMI) in a previous study.
For this project, caregivers were referred to the co-investigator by clinical psychologists. After screening for eligibility and providing consent, recruited caregivers were provided with the training materials (online videos and a self-help manual) and instructed to review them at their own pace for six weeks. A reminder email was sent to them weekly to complete the intervention. In addition to completing the validated questionnaires at baseline and post-intervention, caregivers virtually participated in an exit interview for evaluation. The Burden Assessment Scale, Accommodation and Enabling Scale for Eating Disorders, and Family Questionnaire were utilized to evaluate caregiving burden, accommodating and enabling behaviors, and levels of expressed emotions, respectively. The project data analysis indicated that implementing the intervention decreased the average scores for caregiving burden, accommodating and enabling behaviors, and expressed emotions. Furthermore, caregivers were satisfied with the intervention and provided positive feedback about the project. During the exit interviews, caregivers indicated that they desired a support group for future projects.
Based on an in-depth literature review and project findings, continuing intervention implementation is recommended for the EDWMC. In the future, healthcare providers, in collaboration with clinical psychologists, may consider offering these training materials developed by Treasure and colleagues to caregivers of patients with eating disorders. Furthermore, clinics may consider offering a support group for emotional support and skill practice. Healthcare providers may improve the outcomes of both caregivers and patients by addressing the needs of the caregivers and approaching illnesses holistically. | en_US |
