This study sought to synthesize and reinterpret findings from primary qualitative studies on the experience of health professionals in caring for people with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. We conducted a systematic review of the literature with the SPIDER search strategy assessing six databases. A meta-synthesis was performed with data from qualitative studies. Two independent reviewers screened and assessed the articles, extracted data from the articles and elaborated thematic synthesis. Nineteen articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The meta-synthesis revealed three descriptive themes: Going outside the comfort zone: hard relational experiences of health professionals in providing care for people with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa; Reflecting on treatment: relevance of discussion, communication, and flexibility in health professionals’ work with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa; and Dealing with ambivalences: experiences of health professionals with family members of people with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. We elaborated two analytical themes: Making work with eating disorders palatable: malleability necessary for health professionals in bonding with people with anorexia and bulimia nervosa and their families; and Leaving the professional comfort zone: transition from multi to interdisciplinary. Thus, mental health professionals who work with people diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia nervosa cope with hard emotional experiences that makes them feel out of their comfort zone, requiring flexibility to benefit a good therapeutic alliance, but there are still difficulties in promoting interdisciplinarity.

Background The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 drastically changed the daily lives of the entire population. Despite being efficient in helping to avoid deaths and prevent the collapse of the healthcare system, social distancing can lead to unfavorable outcomes in the physical and mental health of the population, in particular, those diagnosed with eating disorders. This scope review aimed to analyze the scientific production on the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with eating disorders, in the subtypes anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Method This is a scope review, based on a rigorous method based on the PRISMA strategy. The indexed databases PubMed, LILACS, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO, CINHAL, and Embase were consulted. After screening 387 records, 19 studies were included in the review. Results The results were subdivided into four thematic categories: (1) repercussions of confinement on daily life, in which the impacts of social distancing on daily life are presented, such as greater contact with the family and sudden changes in routine; (2) impacts on the treatment performed for eating disorders, underlining the effects of discontinuity of face-to-face treatments; (3) consequences for mental health, highlighting the consequences of the uncertain period for psychological distress; and (4) effects on symptoms of eating disorders, emphasizing the consequences of the pandemic for the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia. Conclusion We concluded that the confinement and uncertainties of this period accentuated preexisting symptoms, arousing feelings of helplessness and loneliness, especially because they were patients who were more susceptible to routine changes and fragilization of social support networks. Strengthening the personal support network is especially important, as well as investing in strengthening the bond between family members and health services, which points to future research.