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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Clinicians’ views on working with anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder comorbidity: a qualitative study

Authors: Emma Kinnaird, Caroline Norton, Kate Tchanturia

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) form a relatively common comorbidity, with poorer illness outcomes and poorer responses to treatments for AN compared to individuals without ASD. However, the treatment of this comorbidity remains poorly understood: no research to date has examined how clinicians currently approach treating AN/ASD. This study aimed to explore the experiences of clinicians working with comorbid AN/ASD using qualitative methods in order to identify areas for future improvement.

Methods

Interviews with individual clinicians (n = 9) were carried out and explored using thematic analysis.

Results

The findings suggest that many clinicians lack confidence in treating this comorbidity, which requires specific changes to treatment to accommodate the issues raised by comorbid ASD. At present, any adaptations to treatment are based on the previous experience of individual clinicians, rather than representing a systematic approach.

Conclusions

Further research is needed to empirically assess potential treatment modifications for this group and to establish guidelines for best clinical practice.
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Metadata
Title
Clinicians’ views on working with anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder comorbidity: a qualitative study
Authors
Emma Kinnaird
Caroline Norton
Kate Tchanturia
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1455-3

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