Implementation of an eating disorder screening and care pathway in a general mental health inpatient service.

Abstract

Eating disorders (ED's) frequently coexist in people with other mental health conditions, with research suggesting that comorbid psychiatric conditions are present in approximately 60-80% of individuals with EDs . Despite this common co-occurrence, studies consistently show that EDs often go undetected and untreated. General MH wards provide an opportunity to identify and treat consumers with EDs or disordered eating behaviours (DEB) and concurrent MH conditions. Conclusion: An ED/DEB screening and care pathway, along with health professional training, can be feasibly implemented in a general MH inpatient setting. This process can identify more consumers at risk of ED/DEB, allowing access to consistent evidenced based care during admission. Completion of a focused training program, enabled staff to feel more confident and supported to provide specialised care