The role of the GP in the treatment of eating disorders

GPs have a crucial role in the prevention, identification, diagnosis and medical management of eating disorders.

As a GP, you can:

  • identify eating disorders by recognising and following up on warning signs, and proactively screening at-risk groups
  • assess, diagnose and medically manage eating disorder presentations
  • refer to eating disorder-specific mental health treatment
  • refer to dietitian and other health professionals and medical specialists, as required
  • manage the care team across the course of treatment
  • prevent eating disorders through early intervention and patient education in cases of disordered eating/body image concerns, and through the promotion of body diversity and resilience.

Working as part of a care team

Treatment and support for people experiencing eating disorders should always sit within a multidisciplinary care team. While the minimum treatment team is a medical practitioner and a mental health professional, input from practitioners from a range of disciplines is often necessary for comprehensive care. Family and supports are integral to the care team. A treatment team’s capacity to work collaboratively in assessment, treatment planning, and treatment review is essential for safe and effective treatment. With the different components of treatment working collaboratively together, progress in one domain (such as physical or psychological) will enable and support progress in each of the other domains.

Resources for GPs

A number of free resources have been developed to support GPs to fulfil their role in the stepped system of care:

  • NEDC Eating Disorders: A professional resource for general practitioners: A booklet providing key information and active links to support the identification and response to eating disorders, as well as medical monitoring
  • NEDC Eating Disorder Core Skills: eLearning for GPs: comprehensive foundational eating disorder training developed specifically for GPs. The training provides GPs with the key information needed to provide best practice care for patients with eating disorders. The training will equip GPs with the knowledge and skills needed to understand, identify and assess eating disorders, provide medical treatment, lead the multidisciplinary team, manage MBS items and provide ongoing recovery support.
  • Eating disorder Medicare items: find out more about mental health care plans and eating disorder treatment plans available to support people experiencing eating disorders
  • Referral pathways: please refer to our Service Locator for information on referral pathways. Please also refer to your local HealthPathways via your PHN for local referral options. 

  • The GP Hub, developed by InsideOut Institute is for use at the point of care, created for GPs. It includes a suite of digital tools and information designed to save time, enhance workflow and support diagnosis, assessment and treatment. The Hub aims to help GPs identify people sooner and give them the resources they need to intervene early and help people to avoid more severe and longer-term illnesses.

     

ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for GPs

GPs are now able to become Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinicians, being recognised for their knowledge and commitment to providing safe and effective eating disorder care. Becoming a credentialed provides GPs with a post-nominal certificate, digital badge and profile listing on a searchable directory, plus access to professional development webinars and an online moderated forum to link with other credentialed GPs.

Find out more at connected.anzaed.org.au/General-Practitioners