Patients' experience of their general practitioner's follow-up of serious eating disorders

Abstract

Background: An eating disorder is an illness that may take a life-threatening course. The health authorities recommend that general practitioners (GPs) should be included in the treatment apparatus. The patients' feelings of shame, denial of the illness and ambivalence with regard to treatment are disease-specific characteristics that need to be considered.

Material and method: At two specialised units for eating disorders, patients aged over 18 were handed a questionnaire at the start of their treatment. The questionnaire dealt with GP consultations in which the eating disorder had been discussed. An active GP-patient relationship was defined based on whether the patient had seen the GP at least three times, whether the GP's office was in proximity to the patient's place of residence and whether the eating disorder had been discussed during the past year.

Results: Altogether 114 patients (90%) took part in the study. 66% had an active GP-patient relationship, and 65% of these had discussed with their GP the impact of the disease on their daily lives. Altogether 75% were satisfied with the GP's manner, 47% found the GP to be an important supporter of their treatment and 44% visited their GP if their condition worsened. Those patients who were severely underweight and patients with GPs who demonstrated commitment scored highest on satisfaction and support. A total of 39% of those who had experience of treatment in which their current GP could have been involved in collaboration with the second-line service had found such involvement to be the case.

Interpretation: The patients had varying experience of follow-up provided by their GPs. Commitment on the part of the GP appears to result in closer follow-up and greater patient satisfaction.