Digital self-help for eating disorders: early value assessment

The company should provide training for staff in using the technology, when support is needed. The training and implementation period should be before the data collection period and be sufficient to account for potential learning effects.

Evidence generation should be overseen by a steering group including researchers, commissioners, practitioners, and people with lived experience.

The evidence generation process is most likely to succeed with dedicated research staff to reduce the burden on NHS staff.

Sites should be carefully selected to, when appropriate, maximise data collection and ensure services representative of those in the NHS are included.

Careful planning of the approach to information governance is vital. The company should ensure that appropriate structures and policies are in place to ensure that the data is handled in a confidential and secure manner and to appropriate ethical and quality standards.

the availability of research funds for data collection, analysis and reporting, as well as NHS funding to cover the costs of implementing the technology in clinical practice

lack of expertise and staff to collect data

burden on clinical staff, such as the need to have training before implementation, data collection and follow up

variable levels of technological literacy affecting uptake and use of the technology

support for languages other than English in the technology affecting its uptake and use.