Graham, M.R., Tierney, S., Chisholm, A. et al. (1 more author) (2020) The lived experience of working with people with eating disorders: a meta‐ethnography. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53 (3). pp. 422-441. ISSN 0276-3478
Abstract
Objective
Working with people with eating disorders (EDs) is known to elicit strong emotional reactions, and the therapeutic alliance has been shown to affect outcomes with this clinical population. As a consequence, it is important to understand healthcare professionals' (HCPs') experiences of working with this client group.
Method
A meta-synthesis was conducted of qualitative research on HCPs' lived experiences of working with people with EDs. The results from the identified studies were analyzed using Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnographic method. Data were synthesized using reciprocal translation, and a line of argument was developed.
Results
Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Reciprocal translation resulted in a key concept: “Coping with caring without curing.” This was underpinned by the following third-order concepts: (a) “The dissonance and discomfort of being a helper struggling to help,” (b) “Defending against the dissonance,” and (c) “Accepting the dissonance to provide safe and compassionate care.” These concepts were used to develop a line-of-argument synthesis, which was expressed as a new model for understanding HCPs' experiences of working with people who have an ED.
Discussion
Although the conflict associated with being a helper struggling to help led some HCPs to avoid and blame people with EDs, others adopted a compassionate stance characterized by humanity, humility, balance, and awareness.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in International Journal of Eating Disorders. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | eating disorders; healthcare professionals; meta-ethnography; qualitative research; systematic review; Anthropology, Cultural; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Humans; Qualitative Research |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 14 Aug 2024 13:53 |
Last Modified: | 14 Aug 2024 13:53 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/eat.23215 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:216098 |