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Updated: Aug 1, 2025
04:19
A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
3.9K
Pathways to eating disorder care: A European multicenter study
Alessio Maria Monteleone1, Eugenia Barone1, Giammarco Cascino2
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
Summary
Accessing specialized eating disorder (ED) care often takes two years, with most patients seeing mental health professionals or general practitioners first. Family support and early intervention awareness are crucial for timely treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Eating disorders (EDs) present significant challenges in accessing specialized care.
- Understanding the patient journey is vital for improving treatment pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify barriers and facilitators in the pathways to specialist eating disorder care.
- To analyze factors influencing the time to access ED treatment.
Main Methods:
- A cross-European study involving 11 ED services across seven countries.
- Utilized an adapted World Health Organization Encounter Form to assess care pathways.
- Kaplan-Meier curves analyzed time to access specialized ED units.
Main Results:
- Median time to access specialized ED care was 2 years for 409 recruited patients.
- Most patients accessed care via mental health professionals or general practitioners, not directly.
- Delayed access was linked to multiple professional involvements, seeking help for general psychiatric symptoms, and lack of family support.
Conclusions:
- Educational initiatives should target general practitioners and family members to enhance early ED diagnosis and treatment.
- Improving awareness among primary care providers and families can expedite access to specialized eating disorder services.
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