Outpatient Therapy Enhances Recovery for Young Eating Disorder Patients Post-Hospitalization

Eating disorders impact over 5% of adolescents and are associated with some of the highest mortality rates among mental health conditions. A significant challenge in managing these disorders is the tendency for young patients to cycle through repeated hospital admissions, particularly those on public health insurance who often face barriers to consistent care.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, investigated whether outpatient therapy following initial hospitalization could reduce this recurrent hospitalization cycle. They analyzed data from 920 Medicaid-enrolled youths aged 7 to 18 who had been hospitalized due to eating disorders. The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, revealed that most patients received minimal outpatient therapy—averaging only two sessions—with nearly half receiving no therapy at all after discharge.

Importantly, the study found a strong correlation between the number of therapy sessions and rehospitalization risk. Adolescents who participated in at least eight outpatient therapy sessions were 25 times less likely to be rehospitalized than those who had three or fewer sessions. These therapy sessions were predominantly delivered by community-based clinicians rather than specialized eating disorder clinics, indicating that non-specialist providers can play a vital role in ongoing care.

This research suggests that even modest outpatient therapy engagement can significantly diminish the risk of repeat hospitalization, offering a promising strategy to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. For instance, California’s Medicaid program could save over $7 million annually if adolescents with eating disorders received at least eight outpatient therapy sessions post-discharge.

Challenges remain, especially for families relying on Medicaid, where caregivers often have limited flexibility and resources. First author Megan Mikhail, Ph.D., emphasized that providing accessible outpatient support from various providers could be pivotal in breaking the cycle of repeated hospital stays. Senior author Dr. Erin Accurso highlighted that a relatively small intervention—additional therapy—can substantially impact recovery trajectories for youth with eating disorders.

This study underscores the importance of broadening outpatient therapy access and suggests that effective, community-based support can ensure these young patients remain healthy and at home during their recovery journey.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-outpatient-therapy-kids-disorders-stay.html