Implementing an Evidence-Based Screening Tool for Eating Disorders in a Child and Adolescent Partial Hospital: A Quality Improvement Project
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Authors
Athmer, Brittany
Issue Date
2022-05-12
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Abstract
Purpose: To implement and evaluate a screening process for eating disorders in adolescents ages 14-18 admitting to a partial hospitalization program for general mental health disorders as a quality improvement (QI) project.|Background: Eating disorders are prevalent in the child and adolescent population, especially among adolescents with other mental health diagnoses. However, eating disorders are not routinely screened for in most psychiatric settings. Screening for eating disorders when a child first seeks treatment for psychiatric disorders may lead to early identification and intervention.|Sample/Setting: The setting was an urban Midwest mental health partial hospital. The sample consisted of 20 English speaking adolescents ages 14-18 admitted to the program between September 1, 2021 and November 30, 2021.|Methods: A literature review identified the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) as an appropriate screening tool. The EDE-Q was completed by adolescents upon admission to the program. Adolescents were referred to eating disorder specific services based on results and clinical evaluation. A retrospective review of records from December 2020 to August 2021 compared the number of adolescents identified with eating disordered behavior during that period with the results of the study period.|Results: 10 participants, or 50%, had a positive screening, which was indicated by a global score of 2.3 or greater. Five of these 10 participants received referrals to eating disorder specific services in the area. Additionally, 9 out of 10 adolescents with a positive screening identified as male, LGBTQ+, or were of an ethnic minority. Only 1 identified as a straight white female. Retrospective record review found that 4 out of 77 adolescents, or 5.2%, were identified as having a possible eating disorder, and these four did not receive referrals for eating disorder specific services.|Conclusion: Eating disorders are underdiagnosed in adolescents with other mental health diagnoses. Implementing the EDE-Q in psychiatric settings could aid in early identification and treatment of eating disorders. Additionally, the higher number of males, LGBTQ, and ethnic minorities identified in this study suggest that further studies are needed to identify ways to support this vulnerable population in the identification and treatment of eating disorders.
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Creighton University
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Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University