The use of technology in eating disorder treatment programs (1020.4)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the usage, usefulness, effectiveness and convenience of technologies utilized by health care professionals in their eating disorder (ED) treatment programs. This study intensively recruited health care professionals currently working with ED patients to complete a brief online survey with questions on technology usage, usefulness, effectiveness, and convenience in ED treatment programs. Participants (N=54) represented various disciplines (e.g., 40% RD, 35% school counselors, 10% MD), and mostly worked in private practice (38%) or a college setting (33%). The technologies reportedly used were email (62%), text messaging (36%), smartphone apps (34%), CD‐ROM /DVD (18%), internet‐based programs (16%), and virtual reality (7%). Compared to all technologies reported, email was found to be the most useful and effective to use in ED treatment programs. Additionally, both email and text messaging were reported as the most convenient technologies to use in ED treatment programs. Findings suggest health care professionals are using various technologies in their ED treatment programs and are finding them to be useful, effective, and convenient.Grant Funding Source: WVU Experimental Station Hatch Funding