Disseminating Education and Treatment for Children and Adolescents with Eating Disorders Across Levels of Care.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are psychiatric illnesses with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Healthcare providers often receive inadequate training in evidence-based ED assessment and treatment.

Design: Project CORE (Creating Opportunities for Rhode Island Eating Disorders Professionals) was developed to disseminate ED training/education and treatment approaches to the healthcare workforce. An interdisciplinary research team partners with pediatric healthcare professionals/trainees and supports them to better understand how to diagnose, manage, and collaborate across disciplines in the care of patients with EDs.

Methods: Phase I involves a needs assessment of pediatric healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes and needs in treating EDs. Phase II involves the development of training/education approaches, and therapeutic interventions for patients with EDs. In Phase III approaches/interventions are further developed and disseminated across RI.

Principal Conclusions: Project CORE's goals will address barriers to effective ED treatment in RI and broaden the workforce of interdisciplinary providers trained to recognize and treat patients with EDs across multiple healthcare settings.