The canadian eating disorder program survey - exploring intensive treatment programs for youth with eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To explore and describe philosophies and characteristics of intensive eating disorder (ED) treatment programs based in tertiary care institutions across Canada.

METHOD: A ninety-item survey examining ED services for adolescents was developed, piloted, and completed by 11 programs across Canada. Information pertaining to program characteristics and components, governance, staffing, referrals, assessments, therapeutic modalities in place, nutritional practices, and treatment protocols were collected.

RESULTS

The results highlight the diversity of programming available but also the lack of a unified approach to intensive eating disorder treatment in youth.

CONCLUSIONS

This report provides important baseline data that offers a framework that programs can use to come together to establish assessment and treatment protocols as well as a process for outcome evaluation. Continued collaboration will be essential moving forward to ensure Canadian youth, regardless of geographic location, receive the necessary treatment required to attain and sustain recovery.