Treating Taylor: Multidisciplinary Management of Eating Disorders

Abstract

OPEN ACCESSOctober 30, 2014Treating Taylor: Multidisciplinary Management of Eating Disorders Kendrin Sonneville, ScD, RD, Melissa Freizinger, Sara Forman, Pamela Burke, Adrianne Goncalves, Sarah Pitts, Holly Gooding Kendrin Sonneville, ScD, RD Boston Children's Hospital Google Scholar More articles by this author , Melissa Freizinger Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Adolescent Medicine Google Scholar More articles by this author , Sara Forman Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Adolescent Medicine Google Scholar More articles by this author , Pamela Burke Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Adolescent Medicine Google Scholar More articles by this author , Adrianne Goncalves Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Adolescent Medicine Google Scholar More articles by this author , Sarah Pitts Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Adolescent Medicine Google Scholar More articles by this author , Holly Gooding Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Adolescent Medicine Google Scholar More articles by this author https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9938 SectionsAboutAbstract ToolsDownload Citations ShareFacebookTwitterEmail AbstractAbstract Introduction: Eating disorders (EDs) are a source of significant morbidity and mortality among youth in the United States. The lifetime prevalence rates of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder during adolescents are 0.3%, 0.9%, and 1.6%, respectively. Partial syndrome EDs affect up to 20% of the general adolescent population and many more adolescents engage in extreme weight control behaviors. EDs are associated with substantial psychiatric comorbidities and, because no organ system is spared the effects of EDs, the medical complications can be serious or even life-threatening. Treatment of such disorders requires a collaborative approach by a multidisciplinary team of mental health, nutrition, and medical specialists. This evolving case allows trainees to develop skills in the assessment, treatment, and management of EDs with an emphasis on the role of the multidisciplinary team. Methods: Students review, discuss, and ultimately develop a treatment plan for Taylor, a 13 year-old girl diagnosed with an ED. The students review the case over five sessions that cover ED assessment, diagnosis, and treatment modalities. During the final session students are encouraged to design a hypothetical eating disorder screening program. Results: This case has been used successful with a multidisciplinary group of postgraduate health care professionals training in adolescent health in 2 consecutive years. Learners reported on standard pre- and postcase 4-point Likert-type scales (4 = very confident) that the case experience improved their confidence in their ability to assess adolescents with eating disorders (pre = 3.0, post = 3.6), to diagnose eating disorders in adolescents (pre = 2.7, post = 3.4), to counsel adolescents with eating disorders (pre = 2.4, post = 3.1), and to devise a treatment plan for these youth (pre = 2.6, post = 3.3). Discussion: This case provides an opportunity for trainees to explore barriers and challenges common to the clinical management of EDs while also providing exposure to current trends and evidence in the prevention and treatment of EDs. The case introduces trainees to aspects of program development and allows trainees to identify opportunities for advocacy and leadership. Educational Objectives By the end of this session, learners will be able to: Assess a patient with an eating disorder (ED).Understand the differential diagnosis for weight loss in the adolescent.Compare diagnostic criteria of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED).Set developmentally appropriate weight goals for an ED patient.Describe prevalence and correlates of AN, BN, and BED.Describe common misconceptions about eating disorders.Explain the tenets of family-based treatment for EDs.Compare common tools used in screening for EDs.Identify common comorbidities seen among individuals with an ED. Sign up for the latest publications from MedEdPORTAL Add your email below FILES INCLUDEDReferencesRelatedDetails FILES INCLUDED Included in this publication: Treating Taylor Instructors Guide.doc Treating Taylor Case.doc To view all publication components, extract (i.e., unzip) them from the downloaded .zip file. Download editor’s noteThis publication may contain technology or a display format that is no longer in use. Related Treating Taylor: Multidisciplinary Management of Eating Disorders Transitioning Bryan: The Transition to Adulthood and the Medical Home Copyright & Permissions© 2014 Sonneville et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license.KeywordsMedicineInterdisciplinaryNursingNutritionSocial WorkEating DisordersInterdisciplinary StudiesAdolescentPsychology Disclosures None to report. Funding/Support None to report. Loading ...