Evaluation of an online modular eating disorders training (PreparED) to prepare healthcare trainees: a survey study.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (EDs) are serious, complex disorders for which broad-based clinical training is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a free, brief, web-based curriculum, PreparED, in increasing comfort and confidence with, and knowledge about EDs in healthcare trainees, and to obtain program feedback from key stakeholders (i.e., learners). METHODS: This programmatic evaluation study was designed as a quantitative, repeated measures (i.e., pre- and post-test intervention) investigation. A convenience sample of two groups of healthcare trainees across geographically diverse training sites completed an anonymous survey pre- and post- engagement with PreparED. The survey included items to assess prior exposure to EDs, as well as program feasibility. The main educational outcomes included (1) Confidence and Comfort with EDs and (2) Knowledge of EDs. User experience variables of interest were likeability, usability, and engagement with the training modules. Mixed effects linear regression was used to assess the association between PreparED and educational outcome variables. RESULTS: Participants (N = 67) included 41 nutrition graduate students and 26 nurse practitioner students recruited from Teacher's College/Columbia University in New York, NY, USA, Columbia University School of Nursing in New York, NY, USA and North Dakota State University School of Nursing in Fargo, ND, USA. Confidence/Comfort scores and Knowledge scores significantly improved following engagement with PreparED (ß = for effect of intervention = 1.23, p < 0.001, and 1.69, p < 0.001, respectively). Neither training group nor prior exposure to EDs moderated the effect on outcomes. All learners agreed the program was easy to follow; the overwhelming majority (89.4%) felt the length of the modules was "just right." All participants perceived that PreparED had increased their knowledge of EDs, and the majority (94.0%) reported greater confidence in and comfort with caring for people with these disorders, including assessment of symptoms, awareness of associated medical complications, and likelihood of future screening. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that brief, user-friendly, online courses can improve knowledge and attitudes about EDs, filling a critical gap in healthcare training.

Association of the COVID-19 Pandemic With Adolescent and Young Adult Eating Disorder Care Volume.

Importance: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected youth mental health. Increases in site-specific eating disorder (ED) care have been documented; however, multisite studies demonstrating national trends are lacking. Objective: To compare the number of adolescent/young adult patients seeking inpatient and outpatient ED care before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design, Setting, and Participants: Using an observational case series design, changes in volume in inpatient and outpatient ED-related care across 15 member sites (14 geographically diverse hospital-based adolescent medicine programs and 1 nonhospital-based ED program) of the US National Eating Disorder Quality Improvement Collaborative was examined. Sites reported monthly volumes of patients seeking inpatient and outpatient ED care between January 2018 and December 2021. Patient volumes pre- and postpandemic onset were compared separately for inpatient and outpatient settings. Demographic data such as race and ethnicity were not collected because this study used monthly summary data. Exposures: Onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Main Outcomes and Measures: Monthly number of patients seeking inpatient/outpatient ED-related care. Results: Aggregate total inpatient ED admissions were 81 in January 2018 and 109 in February 2020. Aggregate total new outpatient assessments were 195 in January 2018 and 254 in February 2020. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the relative number of pooled inpatient ED admissions were increasing over time by 0.7% per month (95% CI, 0.2%-1.3%). After onset of the pandemic, there was a significant increase in admissions over time of 7.2% per month (95% CI, 4.8%-9.7%) through April 2021, then a decrease of 3.6% per month (95% CI, -6.0% to -1.1%) through December 2021. Prepandemic, pooled data showed relative outpatient ED assessment volume was stable over time, with an immediate 39.7% decline (95% CI, -50.4% to -26.7%) in April 2020. Subsequently, new assessments increased by 8.1% (95% CI, 5.3%-11.1%) per month through April 2021, then decreased by 1.5% per month (95% CI, -3.6% to 0.7%) through December 2021. The nonhospital-based ED program did not demonstrate a significant increase in the absolute number of admissions after onset of the pandemic but did see a significant increase of 8.2 (95% CI, 6.2-10.2) additional inquiries for care per month in the first year after onset of the pandemic. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, there was a significant COVID-19 pandemic-related increase in both inpatient and outpatient volume of patients with EDs across sites, particularly in the first year of the pandemic. Given inadequate ED care availability prior to the pandemic, the increased postpandemic demand will likely outstrip available resources. Results highlight the need to address ED workforce and program capacity issues as well as improve ED prevention strategies.

Caring for Adults With Eating Disorders in Primary Care.

Eating disorders are prevalent in adulthood and have high rates of morbidity and mortality. In many cases, primary care physicians (PCPs) are the first and/or only medical professionals to interact with individuals with eating disorders. However, PCPs often do not receive adequate training to confidently and appropriately care for these patients. This review includes up-to-date screening and treatment guidelines and relevant studies concerning the care of adult patients with eating disorders and provides concise guidance for PCPs regarding the outpatient management of these patients in primary care. Three case reports are also included to provide real-life examples of patients with eating disorders that PCPs may encounter. Although eating disorders can have grave consequences, recovery is possible and common, even after patients have been ill for many years. PCPs can play an integral role in promoting recovery by following evidence-based guidelines, by identifying when medical or psychiatric hospitalization is indicated, by monitoring for medical complications, and by referring early to evidenced-based therapies.

College health service capacity to support youth with chronic medical conditions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Twenty percent of US youth have a chronic medical condition and many attend college. Guidelines for transition from pediatric to adult care do not address college health services, and little is known about their capacity to identify, support, and provide care for these youth. The objective of this study was to describe college health center policies, practices, and resources for youth with chronic medical conditions (YCMC). METHODS: Survey of medical directors from health centers of a representative sample of 200 4-year US colleges with ≥ 400 enrolled undergraduate students. Patterns of identification, management, and support for youth with a general chronic medical condition and with asthma, diabetes, and depression, were investigated; χ(2) and Fisher exact tests were used to ascertain differences by institutional demographics. RESULTS: Directors at 153 institutions completed the survey (76.5% response rate). Overall, 42% of schools had no system to identify YCMC. However, almost a third (31%) did identify and add to a registry of incoming YCMC on review of medical history, more likely in private (P < .001) and small (<5000 students, P = .002) colleges; 24% of health centers contacted YCMC to check-in/make initial appointments. Most institutions could manage asthma and depression (83% and 69%, respectively); 51% could manage diabetes on campus. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively few US colleges have health systems to identify and contact YCMC, although many centers have capacity to provide primary care and management of some conditions. Guidelines for transition should address policy and practices for pediatricians and colleges to enhance comanagement of affected youth.

Advancing healthcare transitions in the medical home: tools for providers, families and adolescents with special healthcare needs.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of the present article is to review recent national guidelines regarding healthcare transition (HCT) planning for adolescents with special healthcare needs (SHCN) and to describe practical tools for use by the primary care pediatrician to implement these guidelines. RECENT FINDINGS: Approximately one in five adolescents in the United States has SHCN. Achieving successful transitions from child-oriented to adult-oriented healthcare for these patients can be difficult. Despite numerous barriers to HCT, innovations in healthcare delivery, including the patient-centered medical home and accountable care payment structures, may help overcome challenges. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Physicians have provided explicit practice-level guidance for supporting HCT. The National Healthcare Transition Center developed the Six Core Elements of Healthcare Transition, recommending six detailed action steps for transitions from pediatric settings. Steps reflect guidelines and, along with novel patient-centered information technologies, may help support individuals and families navigating complex transitions. SUMMARY: It is time to integrate transition planning into the medical home. Further evidence is needed to identify transition strategies that improve outcomes. Although innovations in care delivery, payment structures, and information technologies may support HCT, pediatricians can and should implement already available and recommended transition steps.

Race and sex differences in antiretroviral therapy use and mortality among HIV-infected persons in care.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting data regarding race, sex, and mortality among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We studied all-cause mortality among persons in care during the highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who made>or=1 clinic visit from January 1998 through December 2005. RESULTS: Of 2605 patients (with 6657 person-years of follow-up), 38% were black and 24% were female. The percentage of time in care while receiving HAART was lower for blacks than for nonblacks (47% vs. 76%; P<.001) and for females than for males (57% vs. 71%; P=.01). There were 253 deaths (38 per 1000 person-years). After adjustment for characteristics at baseline, death was associated with black race (hazard ratio [HR], 1.33; P .04), female sex (HR, 1.53; P .007), injection drug use (IDU) as a risk factor for HIV infection (HR, 1.61; P .009), older age (HR, 1.45 per 10 years; P<.001), a lower CD4 cell count (HR, 0.59 for 200 vs. 350 cells/mm3; P<.001) and a higher HIV type 1 RNA level (HR, 1.35; P<.001). After adjustment for the length of time that HAART was received, black race (HR, 1.00; P .99) and IDU (HR, 1.37; P .09) were no longer associated with death, but female sex was (HR, 1.62; P=.002). CONCLUSIONS: Race-associated differences in mortality likely resulted from HAART use. Women had an increased risk of death even after adjustment for HAART use. Addressing racial disparities will require improved HAART utilization. Increased mortality among women requires further study.