Lived experience perspectives of the help-seeking journey for public health services for eating disorder care in Australia
A community survey of 505 people with lived experience and carers
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21294065 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Courtney P McLean (0000-0003-3896-2419, La Trobe University), Alexandra Aulich (La Trobe University), Ellen K Richardson (La Trobe University), Juliana Caetano Medeiros Emerick (La Trobe University), Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz (0000-0003-1145-6057, Deakin University), Matthew Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz (Deakin University), Deborah Mitchison (0000-0002-6736-7937, University of Technology Sydney), Shay‐akil Mclean (0000-0002-4273-2037, La Trobe University), Siân A McLean (La Trobe University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-12 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-17 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Australian Psychologist (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0005-0067 • E-ISSN: 1742-9544 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00050067.2026.2671116 |
| OpenAlex | W7161482746 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 22 |
Objective This study explored the eating disorder (ED) help-seeking and treatment journey of Australians since the initiation of the ED Medicare Benefits Schedule (ED-MBS) items.Methods Five hundred and five people with lived experience of an ED (86.6% female, Mage = 28.9 [SDage = 10.3], 53.3% anorexia nervosa) and 178 people with lived experience of caring for someone with an ED (92.6% female, Mage = 48.9 [SDage = 9.6], 68.9% anorexia nervosa) were recruited and participated in a cross-sectional online survey. Data were analysed using t-tests or ANOVA for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables.Results There was a substantial delay between onset of symptoms and access to treatment. Despite delayed access, advantages were noted for receiving treatment under the ED-MBS versus other pathways, including less difficulty in the referral process, higher uptake of treatment following referral, receiving treatment in line with referral, and less difficulty in accessing treatment. Access to 20-session specialist progress reviews was difficult under the ED-MBS.Conclusions We found several barriers to help-seeking and accessing adequate treatment for people experiencing EDs. The ED-MBS appears to alleviate some of these difficulties through additional services and may present a model for healthcare systems in other countries
Health care · Lived experience · Mental health · Patient experience · Phenomenology (philosophy) · Public health · Qualitative research · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Mental Health and Patient Involvement
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Risks of all-cause and suicide mortality in mental disorders
Research electronic data capture (Redcap)—A metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support
Suspicious and fraudulent online survey participation
| Highly cited | No |
|---|