Integrating Health Services for Children with Eating Disorders
Author Information
Author(s): Massou Efthalia, Basher Mike, Bennett Sophie D., Ford Tamsin, Gandhi Saheli, Heyman Isobel, Magnusson Josefine, Mehta Raj, Ng Pei Li, O’Curry Sara, Ramsay Angus I. G., Fulop Naomi J., Morris Stephen
Primary Institution: University of Cambridge
Hypothesis
What are the preferences of parents for integrated health service provision for children with eating disorders and functional symptom disorders?
Conclusion
Parents prefer integrated health services that minimize school absences and hospital stays for their children.
Supporting Evidence
- Parents are willing to trade £531 of NHS costs for one less day missed from school.
- Time to diagnosis was the most valued attribute for functional symptom disorders.
- Lower costs to the NHS were preferred in both DCEs.
Takeaway
Parents want health services for kids to work together better, so kids miss less school and spend less time in the hospital.
Methodology
Two discrete choice experiments were conducted using online surveys with parents of children aged 0-18.
Potential Biases
Potential sampling bias due to the high proportion of single carers and lack of lived experience among respondents.
Limitations
The study may lack external validity as it relies on hypothetical choices and may be affected by social desirability bias.
Participant Demographics
Participants were predominantly white, with a modal age group of 35-44 years, and around 80% had a degree or higher.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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