Psychiatrists' attitudes towards autonomy, best interests and compulsory treatment in anorexia nervosa: a questionnaire survey

Table 3 Views of the impact of having anorexia nervosa on competence (Valid % responses)

Part A – Vignette
	Strongly disagree	Moderately disagree	Slightly disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Slightly agree	Moderately agree	Strongly agree
A5. 'Although Mandy is intellectually able to understand the risks, the fact that she has anorexia nervosa means that her competence to refuse treatment is almost certainly compromised.'	5.7	10.3	7.2	4.6	16.2	32.8	23.2
Part C – Questions specifically on anorexia nervosa: II. Treatment decisions in anorexia nervosa
	Strongly disagree	Moderately disagree	Slightly disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Slightly agree	Moderately agree	Strongly agree
C20. 'Treatment refusal by patients is due to the influence of the anorexia nervosa and therefore does not fully reflect their true wishes or personality.'	1.5	7.5	11.3	8.0	24.3	36.8	10.6

Par A: 'Mandy is 16 years old, and is being treated in the community for anorexia nervosa. She is reluctant to put on weight as she feels she is too fat. She understands, at least intellectually, that if she continues to lose weight she can put her health and life at risk. Despite outpatient psychological treatment together with dietary advice, she continues to lose weight, and weighs 75% of her expected weight with associated physical symptoms. Medical investigations suggest her situation is medically serious but not yet life-threatening. She is resistant to the doctor's recommendation to be admitted to hospital. Her parents feel they cannot look after her at home any longer and want her admitted to hospital.'

ISSN: 1753-2000