"Ros til ROS?": Evaluation of users of the Counseling about Eating Disorders (ROS) in Hordalnad

Project summary

This rapport intends to reflect users¿ perspectives. We tried, through a qualitative questionnaire of users of the Counseling about Eating Disorders (ROS), to answer the following questions: How do the users experience the contact with the ROS center? To what degree has the contact been useful for improvement in their condition? Twelve users signed up as informers after the center had sent out to all current and recent users of ROS. The interviews were conducted according to an advance prepared interview guide. The informants had a gender and age composition similar to the presumed epidemiology for eating disorders. They told about difficult childhood situations and connected this with their disorder. Most informants also received treatment, and regarded the service at ROS as a complimentary supplement. The felt they received a more varied service at the center when comparing with public health care. The informants characterized ¿the Good Helper¿ in differente ways. Some expressed the sentiment that helpers who had previously suffered from eating disorders were the most suitable. Others felt that the helper should keep a professional distance and have some formal qualifications. All however agreed that personal characteristics were important. Being met with understanding, empathy, someone taking an interest and being taken seriously was emphasized as the most important ones. The physical framework at ROS, such as placement and esthetical considerations, was also emphasized. The users were attracted to the center largely in order to take advantage of specific services, rather than just to ¿pop by¿. Few had close friends among the other users at the center.