Disseminating Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Eating Disorders

Abstract

The research-practice gap is of concern in the treatment of eating disorders. Despite the existence of empirically supported treatments, few receive them. The barriers to wider dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatment include clinician attitudes towards such treatments and the lack of sufficient numbers of suitably trained therapists to provide treatment. In this review we discuss these barriers in the context of the wider issue of the dissemination and implementation of psychological treatments and review the research with regard to the treatment of eating disorders. Particular emphasis is placed on examining recent efforts to expand the availability and reach of treatments by making treatment delivery and training more scalable. We highlight promising developments and areas where further research is needed.

Prevention of eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Although rates are higher for people with AN (around 10%) all people with an ED are at risk of a severe and enduring malignant form of the disorder associated with treatment resistance, very high mortality and morbidity (Hay, Touyz, & Sud, 2012). For various reasons, treatment-and especially expert, multifaceted treatment-is not available to all, and there are unlikely to be sufficient professionals with appropriate advanced training to come close to stemming the tide of EDs using a detect-it/treat-it approach (Cooper & Bailey-Straebler, 2015). Therefore, it is essential…”

Delivery of Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa in a Public Health Care Setting: Research Versus Non-Research Specialty Care

“…Some argue that evidence supporting EBPs is flawed in important ways (13). In particular, it is thought that manualized treatment formats may be too rigid and not a "good fit" for most patients seen in community settings (14,15). Therapists commonly endorse misconceptions and negative beliefs about FBT prior to training (16).…”

Adherence as a predictor of dropout in Internet‐based guided self‐help for adults with binge‐eating disorder and overweight or obesity

“…It is the most prevalent eating disorder with a point prevalence rate of 1.1% in adults from the general population (Erskine & Whiteford, ), particularly in those with obesity (Da Luz, Hay, Touyz, & Sainsbury, ; Hay et al, ). Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), delivered face‐to‐face, represents the most well‐established treatment for BED (Brownley et al, ; Hilbert et al, ), there are critical gaps in the dissemination and availability of such face‐to‐face treatments for patients with eating disorders (Cooper & Bailey‐Straebler, ), underlining the need for new modes of treatment delivery (Moessner & Bauer, ). In addition, there are relevant personal barriers to treatment, which discourage patients from seeking or completing face‐to‐face treatment including reduced mobility, fear of stigma and shame, and practical barriers (e.g., treatment costs; Ali et al, ; Corrigan, Druss, & Perlick, ; Vall & Wade, ).…”