With over one million Australians experiencing an eating disorder, and prevalence rates continuing to rise, the recently released National Eating Disorders Strategy 2023-2033 (Strategy) arrives at a crucial stage. Released by the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC), it identifies key components and actions needed to achieve an effective and coordinated system of care for those living with, or at risk of developing, eating disorders.
The Strategy emphasises the pivotal role GPs will play in its successful implementation. As a comprehensive and extensive plan, it should be considered in its entirety, but we are all time poor so let’s consider four of its key points.
Whole-of-system
The Strategy calls for a shift away from the historical view of eating disorders as exclusively the domain of specialists, rather to a whole-of-health system response, integrating medical and mental health services for all eating disorder diagnoses. It classifies that eating disorders are not solely a specialist clinical area, but rather a mainstream health concern requiring coordinated response across multiple care settings.
Under this new approach, it is planned that GPs will become an integral part of the eating disorder care system, with clearly defined roles, accountabilities, and resources.
Thus, one key action is ensuring GPs have access to training and resources to support the management of eating disorders, including tailored online training modules and tools to assist with medical monitoring, treatment planning, and referrals. This aims to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools to conduct initial assessments, make preliminary diagnoses, and provide psychoeducation to patients and their families.
Early intervention
Another key focus area is enhancing early intervention and community-based treatment options. It acknowledges that eating disorders often have their roots in sub-clinical concerns or risk factors, and that early, lower-intensity interventions can prevent escalation and improve long-term outcomes. The Strategy states GPs will play a vital role in identifying warning signs and facilitating access to initial responses, such as guided self-help programs, brief interventions, or longer courses of community-based treatments for eating disorders.
The Strategy also focuses on addressing weight stigma and promoting inclusive, person-centred care, which sometimes serves as barriers for patients accessing treatment. The strategy calls for a shift away from weight-centric approaches and towards inclusive, person-centred care that celebrates body diversity and focuses on health-promoting behaviours.
As a GP, the Strategy encourages examining your own attitudes and practices to ensure you are providing compassionate, non-judgmental care to patients of all body sizes and shapes. The Strategy also advocates for policy changes that prohibit weight-based discrimination and promoting more inclusive language and imagery within healthcare settings and public health campaigns.
Building a skilled workforce
Recognising the workforce challenges in addressing eating disorders, the Strategy prioritises the development of a skilled and diverse healthcare workforce, including expanding the lived experience workforce. It emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, with GPs working alongside mental health professionals, dietitians, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive holistic support, addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of their condition.
For GPs, the Strategy calls for increased eating disorder content in medical education and professional development opportunities to improve overall patient care and outcomes.
Stepped-care approach
The Strategy outlines a comprehensive system of care, ranging from community-based treatment to intensive inpatient services. It tries to move away from a predominant focus on acute treatment services, to a well-developed stepped system of care including community-based treatment and support delivered as early in illness presentation as possible. This stepped approach ensures that patients with diverse presentations are well matched to their treatment needs, whether their care calls for guided self-help, outpatient therapy, or more intensive interventions.
The Strategy aims to increase the availability of community-based treatment options, including in rural and remote areas of WA. This means patients will have better access to local services, reducing the need for travel and supporting their recovery within their community.
The Strategy emphasises collaboration between primary care and specialised eating disorder services, ensuring seamless transitions and clear communication throughout the treatment journey. GPs will play a pivotal role in referring patients to the appropriate level of care based on their needs.
By staying informed and engaged with the strategy’s initiatives you can contribute to the development of a robust and responsive healthcare system that supports individuals with eating disorders and their families.
Key messages
- Implementation of the National Eating Disorders Strategy will create clearer care pathways and enhanced integration of care
- More educational opportunities will be available
- GPs will be able to better contribute to the care and support of those with eating disorders and their families.
Author competing interests