Eating Disorders Health Care System Evaluation

LIVED Experience Survey

The purpose of this survey is to help us to better understand the strengths and challenges of the eating disorders healthcare system.

Participants will include individuals who have personally experienced eating disorder symptoms and may or may not have received treatment or therapy in the eating disorders healthcare system.

For the purpose of this survey, we define the eating disorders healthcare system as all services provided by healthcare professionals. It does not include other supports delivered by non-clinical professionals.

Your participation is voluntary and strictly confidential. You will not be identified or identifiable. Your responses will be combined with the responses from a minimum of 20 other individuals. If less than 20 responses are received, the survey results will not be used and the completed surveys will be destroyed.

Question Title

* 1. Overall, how would you rate your experience with the healthcare system in responding to your eating disorder and related healthcare needs? (Please select one option that fits best)

Exceeded my expectations

Met my needs and expectations

Met some of my needs but not all

Fell short in many areas

Met none of my needs

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* 2. How would you describe your experience in receiving an accurate diagnosis of your eating disorder? (Please select one option that fits best)

My family physician identified symptoms and referred me to an eating disorder specialist or program

I proactively shared symptoms with my family physician who then referred me to an eating disorder specialist or program

My diagnosis was determined as a result of a health crisis where I ended up needing urgent care

I sought out publicly funded eating disorder therapy or treatment in my community on my own

I sought out private therapy or treatment on my own

I experience eating disorder symptoms but have not received a formal diagnosis ( please explain why).

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* 3. Please explain why you have not received a formal diagnosis.

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* 4. What was the length of time between your initial discussion with a health care professional about your eating disorder symptoms and starting psychotherapy or other forms of treatment? ( Please select one option that fits best)

Less than 1 week

1 week to one month

More than one month and less than 6 months

6 months to 12 months

More than 12 months

I have not accessed treatment

Other (please specify)

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* 5. What was your experience in finding appropriate psychotherapy or other clinical treatment to meet your needs? ( Please select one option that fits best)

Positive- my family physician referred me to the right provider

Positive- I was able to find a good fit through word of mouth and other easily accessible channels

Positive- Community Services ( like NEDIC, Sheena's Place, Body Brave) helped me connect with the appropriate eating disorder health care provider

Mixed- I eventually found a good match after one or more poor experiences

Mixed- I had a great health care provider but they were only able to see me for a short period due to public system restrictions

Poor- I have never been able to find a health care provider that helped me make significant improvements

Other (please specify)

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* 6. Were you able to access therapy or treatment in the publicly funded system? i.e. OHIP? Please select one option that fits best)

All of my therapy or treatment has been provided at a hospital or other publicly funded organizations

Most of my therapy or treatment was provided at a hospital or other publicly funded organizations

Most or all of my therapy or treatment was paid for by health insurance provided by my employer

Most or all of my therapy or treatment was paid for by private insurance that I purchased

I had to pay for most of my therapy or treatment out of pocket ( Please explain why you were unable to access publicly funded therapy or treatment)

I had to pay for ALL of my therapy or treatment out of pocket ( Please explain why you were unable to access publicly funded therapy or treatment)

Not applicable as I have not accessed therapy or treatment

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* 7. If you were unable to access publicly funded treatment, please explain here.

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* 8. In your opinion, how successful was your therapy or treatment in responding to your eating disorder? (Please select one option that fits best)

No symptoms for over one year

Significant reduction in symptoms for over one year

Temporary improvements but not sustained

Minimal improvements

No improvement

My eating disorder got worse as a result of therapy or treatment

Other (please specify)

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* 9. If you attended a hospital inpatient or day program, what would you consider to be the strengths of the program? ( Please select all that apply)

Evidence-based approach to treatment

Expert healthcare professionals

A supportive environment

Strictness of the program

Program duration

Personalized treatment plan

Did not attend a hospital inpatient or day program

Other (please specify)

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* 10. If you attended a hospital inpatient or day program, what would you consider to be the limitations or weaknesses of the program? (Please select all that apply)

Treatment approach did not work

Lack of effective healthcare professionals

Strictness of the program

Program was too short in duration

Program was too long in duration

Lack of integration with my care team outside of the program ( family, family physician, outpatient therapist, medical specialists, etc.

Distance from my home

Did not attend a hospital inpatient or day program

Other (please specify)

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* 11. If you attended a hospital inpatient or day program, did you receive adequate follow-up and monitoring of your progress post treatment

Follow up and monitoring met all my needs.

Follow up and monitoring met some of my needs.

Follow up and monitoring was inadequate

Follow up and monitoring was not available to me

Did not attend a hospital inpatient or day program

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* 12. If treatment was not successful, please describe in your own words why.

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* 13. If you attended publicly funded or free outpatient treatment in the community, what would you consider to be the strengths of the therapy or treatment you received? ( Please select all that apply)

Evidence-based treatment approach

Excellent therapist or healthcare professional (s)

A supportive environment

Frequency of visits

Duration of treatment plan

Proximity to my home

Did not attend publicly funded outpatient treatment in the community

Other (please specify)

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* 14. If you attended publicly funded or free outpatient treatment in the community, what would you consider to be the limitations or weaknesses of the therapy or treatment you received? ( Please select all that apply)

Therapist or other healthcare professional(s) were not a good fit

Program did not meet my needs

Lack of integration with my other healthcare needs

Visits were infrequent

Program was too short

Program was too long

Significant travel to and from appointments

Did not attend publicly funded outpatient treatment in the community

Other (please specify)

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* 15. If you attended a private inpatient residential clinic, what would you consider to be the strengths of the program? (Please select all that apply)

Evidence -based approach to treatment

Expert healthcare professionals

A supportive environment

Strictness of the program

Program duration

Personalized treatment plan

Other ( please describe below)

Did not attend a private residential clinic

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* 16. If you attended a private inpatient residential clinic, what would you consider to be the limitations or weaknesses of the program? ( Please select all that apply)

Treatment approach did not work

Lack of effective healthcare professionals

Strictness of the program

Program was too short in duration

Program was too long in duration

Lack of integration with my care team outside of the program ( family. family physician, outpatient therapist, medical specialists, etc.

Distance to my home

Cost

Did not attend a private residential clinic

Other (please specify)

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* 17. If you received residential private treatment, where was the facility located?

Canada

United States

Other Country

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* 18. If you attended private outpatient treatment in the community, what would you consider to be the strengths of the therapy or treatment you received?
(Please select all that apply)

Evidence-based treatment approach

Excellent therapist or other healthcare professional(s)

A supportive environment

Frequency of visits

Duration of treatment plan

Proximity to my home

Other ( Please describe below)

Did not attend private outpatient treatment in the community

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* 19. If you attended private outpatient treatment in the community, what would you consider to be the limitations or weaknesses of the treatment you received? ( Please select all that apply)

Therapist or healthcare professional (s) were not a good fit

Treatment did not meet my needs

Lack of integration with my other healthcare needs

Frequency of visits

Treatment duration was too short

Treatment duration was too long

Significant travel to and from appointments

Cost

Did not attend private outpatient treatment in the community

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 20. If you experienced individual psychotherapy online as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, in your opinion, how effective was online vs. in-person therapy

More effective than in-person therapy

Similar/as effective as in-person therapy

Less effective than in-person therapy

Not effective at all

Don't know ( I have not experienced both)

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* 21. What do you see as the most urgent need or top priority for improving the treatment and supports available for people with eating disorders?
Please share any feedback or ideas that you might find helpful.

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* 22. What is your age?

17 or younger

18-24

25-30

31-40

41--54

55 plus

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* 23. At what age did symptoms of disordered eating start?

12 or younger

13-17

18 plus

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* 24. What is your gender?

Female

Gender fluid

Gender questioning

Intersex

Male

Nonbinary

Trans

Two-spirit

Prefer not to say

Do not know

Other

Eating Disorders Health Care System Evaluation

LIVED Experience Survey

Question Title

* 1. Overall, how would you rate your experience with the healthcare system in responding to your eating disorder and related healthcare needs? (Please select one option that fits best)

Question Title

* 2. How would you describe your experience in receiving an accurate diagnosis of your eating disorder? (Please select one option that fits best)

Question Title

* 3. Please explain why you have not received a formal diagnosis.

Question Title

* 4. What was the length of time between your initial discussion with a health care professional about your eating disorder symptoms and starting psychotherapy or other forms of treatment? ( Please select one option that fits best)

Question Title

* 5. What was your experience in finding appropriate psychotherapy or other clinical treatment to meet your needs? ( Please select one option that fits best)

Question Title

* 6. Were you able to access therapy or treatment in the publicly funded system? i.e. OHIP? Please select one option that fits best)

Question Title

* 7. If you were unable to access publicly funded treatment, please explain here.

Question Title

* 8. In your opinion, how successful was your therapy or treatment in responding to your eating disorder? (Please select one option that fits best)

Question Title

* 9. If you attended a hospital inpatient or day program, what would you consider to be the strengths of the program? ( Please select all that apply)

Question Title

* 10. If you attended a hospital inpatient or day program, what would you consider to be the limitations or weaknesses of the program? (Please select all that apply)

Question Title

* 11. If you attended a hospital inpatient or day program, did you receive adequate follow-up and monitoring of your progress post treatment

Question Title

* 12. If treatment was not successful, please describe in your own words why.

Question Title

* 13. If you attended publicly funded or free outpatient treatment in the community, what would you consider to be the strengths of the therapy or treatment you received? ( Please select all that apply)

Question Title

* 14. If you attended publicly funded or free outpatient treatment in the community, what would you consider to be the limitations or weaknesses of the therapy or treatment you received? ( Please select all that apply)

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* 15. If you attended a private inpatient residential clinic, what would you consider to be the strengths of the program? (Please select all that apply)

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* 16. If you attended a private inpatient residential clinic, what would you consider to be the limitations or weaknesses of the program? ( Please select all that apply)

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* 17. If you received residential private treatment, where was the facility located?

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* 18. If you attended private outpatient treatment in the community, what would you consider to be the strengths of the therapy or treatment you received? (Please select all that apply)

Question Title

* 19. If you attended private outpatient treatment in the community, what would you consider to be the limitations or weaknesses of the treatment you received? ( Please select all that apply)

Question Title

* 20. If you experienced individual psychotherapy online as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, in your opinion, how effective was online vs. in-person therapy

Question Title

* 21. What do you see as the most urgent need or top priority for improving the treatment and supports available for people with eating disorders?Please share any feedback or ideas that you might find helpful.

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* 22. What is your age?

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* 23. At what age did symptoms of disordered eating start?

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* 24. What is your gender?

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* 25. Please provide the name of the city/town and province where you currently reside?

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* 26. Please share any other feedback or ideas that you think might be helpful:

* 18. If you attended private outpatient treatment in the community, what would you consider to be the strengths of the therapy or treatment you received?
(Please select all that apply)

* 21. What do you see as the most urgent need or top priority for improving the treatment and supports available for people with eating disorders?
Please share any feedback or ideas that you might find helpful.