Advance Choice Documents for people with Eating Disorders (ACDED)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Advance Choice Documents for people with Eating Disorders (ACDED)
IRAS ID
365810
Contact name
Claire Henderson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Advance Choice Documents for people with Eating Disorders (ACDED), funded by the Maudsley Charity, aims to evaluate the use of Advance Choice Documents (ACDs) for patients under the care of the Eating Disorder Service within the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM). ACDs are designed for individuals who have previously been detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA). ACDs outline how they wish to be treated during future mental health crises, ensuring their preferences are respected.
Studies have found that ACDs can reduce rates of coercive practice however there is little research on the use of ACDs in Eating Disorder Services. This study will use focus groups to explore the specific needs of people with eating disorders in relation to ACDs. Findings from the focus groups will be used to generate resources to support people with eating disorders to make an ACD. A cohort of service users will be recruited to use the adapted materials and create ACDs. The study will assess the implementation of these resources and the impact of ACDs on coercive practices.
Participants in the study are people who have previously been detained under the MHA and are currently receiving care from the Eating Disorder Service within SLaM, their families/carers, and healthcare staff. The study will last 18 months from the start of recruitment. In phase 1 participants will join focus group discussions lasting around 1.5 hours. In phase 2 participants will create an ACD and then be interviewed about their experiences. The clinical records of participants who create an ACD will be followed up.
The project is co-produced with service user advisory groups. The primary goal is to pilot the use of ACDs for people with eating disorders, adapt resources where needed, and explore the impact of ACDs on care experiences.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0371
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion