Are doctors getting the right support to treat eating disorders?
By Gemma Raw
Charity Beat has suggested that GPs need more training on eating disorders. However, that's not the case says the doctors' professional membership body.
69% of people with eating disorders felt that their GP didn't know how to help them, while 92% thought that their GP would benefit from more training to deal with eating disorders. Those were the headline statistics in a survey carried out in March by the eating disorders charity Beat. As a result, Beat called for 'all medical schools to implement comprehensive training on eating disorders so all doctors, including GPs, are able to identify eating disorders and signpost patients to specialist support without delay'. However, this conclusion has been disputed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). Responding to the survey, Dr Gary Howsam, the College's Vice Chair, said, "It is not the case that GPS have little or no training to identify potential eating disorders in patients and refer appropriately." He went on to explain that, after medical school and post-graduate foundation training, GP trainees undertake specialty training, during which they must demonstrate competence in mental health, including eating disorders.
It's about time
Dr Howsam believes that the real issue is not training, but time available for doctors to spend with patients. "Eating disorders, indeed all mental health conditions, are complex... and the standard 10-minute appointment is inadequate for GPs to have the necessary conversations with patients," he explained. "We urgently need more GPs, and other members of the practice team including mental health therapists, working in NHS general practice, so that we can offer longer consultations for those patients who need them – and we need better access to appropriate mental health services in the community."
Dr Richard Van Mellaerts, a member of the British Medical Association's GP committee, told the BBC that he found the results of the Beat survey 'deeply saddening', saying that it's vital that 'medical education and training to supports doctors to identify eating disorders and support their treatment. However, he also said that there was poor provision of specialist care, which had left GPs 'frustrated up and down the country'.
A significant health problem
Beat believes that there are approximately 1.25 million people in the UK with an eating disorder. Research carried out in Australia suggests that the average duration is eight years for anorexia and five years for bulimia. While both illnesses can become severe and enduring, early intervention can improve outcomes in many cases. Treatment is usually carried out by a multi-disciplinary mental health team, which may include specialist nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, dietitians, family therapists and psychologists.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance which provides useful information for health professionals on recognition and treatment of eating disorders.
