This document describes the development and evaluation of an online learning program for general mental health professionals on eating disorders. The program was developed by the Centre for Eating and Dieting Disorders at the University of Sydney in response to a lack of trained professionals in rural areas. It consists of 5 modules covering assessment, treatment approaches, and management. Evaluations showed the program significantly increased professionals' knowledge, skills, and confidence in treating eating disorders while decreasing personal biases. It provided a flexible training option that was well received and relevant to practitioners' needs.

1. An Interactive Online Learning Program in the Eating
Disorders for General Mental Health Professionals
1 Maguire, S.L.,
1,2 Russel, J. 1,3 & Touyz, S.1
O’Dell, A.,
1. Centre for Eating & Dieting Disorders, University of Sydney
2. NSW Health Department; Mental Health & Drug & Alcohol Office
The Problem
Development and Implementation
Despite the development of evidenced based treatments & increasing funds emerging
through initiatives such as Medicare 2006 Better Access to Mental Health(1), many of
those suffering from Eating Disorders in Australia continue to struggle to access
treatment due to shortfalls in appropriately trained mental health professionals.
Stage 2: Development of a 5 module curriculum (3.5 hours each)
i. Understanding Eating Disorders : background, epidemiology, diagnostic issues,
prevention, screening & early intervention, stigma & stereotypes
ii. Assessment: history taking & diagnostics, medical assessment, mental health
assessment & nutritional assessment.
iii. Treatment approaches : self-help, motivational interviewing, CBT, Family
Therapy & other therapies including DBT, IPT, psychodynamic therapy, pharmacology
& other therapies.
iv. Preparation for Treatment : treatment aims & principals including planning &
goal setting; a team approach; selecting options for care; professional, legal & ethical
issues including transference issues, supervision etc.
v. Management : working with children & adolescents, inpatient treatment, daypatient & outpatient treatment.
Those living in rural or remote areas are significantly disadvantaged by the lack of
appropriately trained mental health professionals in the field of eating disorders.
Patients with eating disorders make up a considerable portion of the health services
load within Australia, with approximately 21 000 ambulatory contacts occurring across
NSW alone between January 2010 & March 2011. Given the complexity of their
presentation no one sector of the health service is the principal provider for the
eating disorders with most subspecialties being affected.
Given the significance of the impact that the eating disorders make across the health
services, training of both generalist & mental health staff is essential if evidenced
based treatment is to be delivered to this patient population & if staff are to be
supported in managing them. New technology has the potential to ease this problem.
The Approach
The Centre for Eating & Dieting Disorders at the University of Sydney, funded by the
NSW Health Department, is responsible for workforce training & development for
eating disorders in the state. CEDD have developed an interactive online learning
program for mental health professionals in the area of Eating Disorders.
Why online learning?
• Training at a flexible location & time and reduced travel costs
• Access to training for rural & remote mental health professionals across NSW
•Training opportunities for individuals with varying levels of knowledge & differing
interests
•Progression at an individual’s own pace
•Varied activities to suit different learning styles
• Easy access to training by national & international experts
Stage 1: Steering committee
Australian and NZ experts in eating disorders from the fields of medicine, dietetics &
nursing provided guidance on the development of general & specialist curriculum
areas of relevance to practitioners. Converted to an e-learning format including
videos, interactive activities, pre-and post quizzes, pdf resources, key readings &
text. CPD endorsement with all applicable professional bodies in Australia.
Demonstrations and Consumer Perspectives
Interactive Activities
Role Plays
Stage 3: Development of topic area format
i. Core -Theoretical & contextual underpinnings
ii. In Practice -Practical aspects, more in-depth content
iii. Resources -References, checklists, questionnaires, etc
Stage 4: Pre and post questionnaires
Program participants are required to complete a pre training questionnaire prior to
beginning the learning program and a post training evaluation after completion.
Participants were asked:
- 10 questions rating their perceived current level of knowledge (e.g. the risk factors
associated with the development of an eating disorder) regarding the treatment
and management of eating disorders on a 5-point Likert scale (1.Very low, 2.Low,
3.Moderate, 4.High, 5.Very High).
- 9 questions rating their skill level (e.g. conducting an eating disorder screening)
regarding the treatment and management of eating disorders on a 5-point Likert
scale (1.Very low, 2.Low, 3.Moderate, 4.High, 5.Very High).
- 6 questions about their personal attitudes towards individuals with an eating
disorder (e.g. They are to blame for their condition) on a 5-point Likert scale
(1.Strongly Disagree, 3.Neutral, 5.Strongly Agree).
- Willingness and confidence in treating each of the eating disorder subtypes was
rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (Not at all willing/ Not at all confident) to 5
(Willing/ Confident).
•
The Results
60/40 split metropolitan versus rural/regional employment setting
• 91.4% Females, mean age 31-40 years, 50% have been in practice <5 years
• 46% respondents indicated they don’t have the skills to treat eating disorder
patients and 34% indicated that there is not enough resources available to help
them adequately treat these patients
*Upon completion of the online training program, health professionals reported
- a statistically significant increase in knowledge (z=-11.58, p<0.001) and skill
level (z=-11.42, p<0.001).
- a statistically significant decrease in personal bias towards eating disorders
(z=-5.76, p<0.001).
* Confidence to treat each of the eating disorder subtypes increased
significantly from pre to post training evaluations (see below)
ED subtype
AN
2.70(1.04)
3.69(0.83)
-9.85**
BED
Expert Opinions
-9.12**
BN
Quizzes
Pre Mean (SD) Post Mean
(SD)
2.60(1.11)
3.46(0.97)
Z score
2.64(1.05)
3.65(0.81)
-9.85**
EDNOS
2.67(1.10)
3.67(0.82)
-9.55**
** Wilcoxon signed rank test highly statistically significant (p-value <0.001)
Online training program evaluations
96.2% indicated that their current clinical practice
98.4% indicated that their expectations of the online learning program were met.
99.5% indicated the program was relevant or highly relevant to their practice.
98.9% of respondents indicated that the program met their needs.
For additional information please contact:
Adrienne O’Dell
Centre for Eating and Dieting Disorders, University of Sydney
adrienne.odell@sydney.edu.au
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