Emergency Medicine Physicians’ Knowledge and Perceptions of Training, Education, and Resources in Eating Disorders
Abstract Background: Eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa, have one of the highest mortality rates of all mental illnesses.(1) Knowledge and perceptions of patients with eating disorders (ED) in the Emergency Medicine (EM) specialty is not explored. EM physicians may be the first or only provider a patient interacts with. The purpose of this study is to explore previous training/education, perceptions of available resources, and educational needs in treating eating disorders in practicing Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians. Methods: A 36-question investigator-developed survey was used in this cross-sectional study. Data were extracted from Opinio for statistical analyses. SAS 9.4 was used to analyze data. The survey assessed EM physicians’ previous training, education, and confidence in treating and diagnosing eating disorders in adults and adolescents. The primary outcomes assessed were participants’ previous training/education in eating disorders, knowledge of resources for patients, and educational needs.Results: Of the 162 participants, just 1.9% completed a rotation on eating disorders during residency. Ninety-three percent were unfamiliar with the American Psychiatric Association’s Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Eating Disorders; 95% were unfamiliar with the publication, “ED [Emergency Department] management of patients with eating disorders”. At least 50% were unaware of seven of the ten resources for patients with eating disorders examined. At least 50% agreed additional education on 15 of the 19 topics examined would be useful; 85% agreed to education on assessment of patients with eating disorders in the ED.Conclusions: Providing EM physicians with comprehensive education and training and increasing awareness of eating disorder resources could result in identifying more patients with eating disorders to increase treatment post-discharge.