Knowledge and attitudes towards eating disorders: A survey of psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees in New South Wales

Elsie Jing; Eva Gregertsen; Leo Chen; Janice Russell

doi:10.1177/10398562241249906

Knowledge and attitudes towards eating disorders: A survey of psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees in New South Wales

Australas Psychiatry. 2024 May 5:10398562241249906. doi: 10.1177/10398562241249906. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Elsie Jing¹, Eva Gregertsen², Leo Chen³, Janice Russell⁴

Affiliations

¹ Alfred Mental and Addiction Health, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; and Marie Bashir Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
² HER Centre Australia and Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
³ Alfred Mental and Addiction Health, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; HER Centre Australia and Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁴ Marie Bashir Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; and Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 38705873
DOI: 10.1177/10398562241249906

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate New South Wales (NSW) psychiatrists' and psychiatry trainees' knowledge and attitudes towards eating disorders (EDs).

Method: A total of 1781 psychiatrists and trainees in NSW were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire assessing ED confidence, knowledge and attitudes.

Results: A total of 51 doctors responded to the survey, with 38 completing all items. Significant knowledge gaps were revealed. Respondents expressed a desire for more ED training.

Conclusion: Enhanced ED training in psychiatry education and incorporating the lived experience voice to improve attitudes appear necessary.

Keywords: Australian psychiatrists; attitudes; eating disorders; knowledge; survey.