What are the top five essential features of a high quality eating disorder service? A comparison of the views of US and UK eating disorder sufferers, carers and health professionals

Objective The aim of the present study was to identify what are the main features of a high quality eating disorders service and to triangulate the views of patients, carers and health professionals in a cross‐national (USA, UK) survey. Methods Data from an internet survey were subjected to content analysis and common themes were identified. Results All six stakeholder groups (US and UK patients, carers and health professionals) included the professional qualities of staff amongst their top five quality features. Personal qualities of staff, support for carers and psychological interventions were mentioned by four of the six groups, Support for service users and nutritional assistance was mentioned by three groups. Availability/access and Rapid access to care were mentioned by UK Carers and UK health care personnel. Medical assistance was only mentioned by US health care professionals and flexible care only by UK sufferers. Conclusion This study suggests many similarities and some differences between different stakeholders from two countries with different health care systems in their views on quality of care. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.