ALLIANCE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing practice and policy recommendations to support effective therapeutic alliance in inpatient treatment for eating disorders: ALLIANCE study
IRAS ID
349873
Contact name
Corinna Hackmann
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The ALLIANCE study aims to understand and improve treatment relationships between staff and service users in inpatient eating disorder settings. It is NIHR funded and consists of 3 work packages (WP):
WP1: Develop Programme Theory using realist literature review to identify how to effectively develop therapeutic alliance in inpatient treatment for Eating Disorders (ED), that maintains safety, whilst leading to improved treatment outcomes. WP1 consists of a literature review, using realist methods. Conducting this review will help us to understand existing evidence relating to treatment relationships in inpatient eating disorder setting. This WP is already underway.
WP2: Test, expand and refine the theory via realist interviews with people who have lived experience of inpatient ED treatment and healthcare staff working in inpatient ED settings. Use the Programme Theory to develop actionable practice and policy recommendations to improve treatment outcomes, that can be operationalised (in a future study) into a complex intervention to improve alliance and treatment outcomes for ED.
WP3: Codesign an animation (and supporting materials) with people with lived experience, to disseminate and communicate WP2 findings.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0027
Date of REC Opinion
10 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion