Is the Next Generation of Physicians Adequately Prepared to Diagnose and Treat Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents?

Abstract

This study examined medical residents' comfort with and knowledge of eating disorder assessment and treatment practices for children and adolescents. Since entering medical school, the majority of respondents reported receiving fewer than 5 hours of training in this area. Participants reported feeling more comfortable with the assessment of eating disorders than with their medical management and treatment. Questions testing participants' knowledge in these domains reflected this finding; participants did well on the assessment questions, but quite poorly on the treatment questions. Intensity of training and self-reported comfort with these skills predicted residents' knowledge, suggesting that additional training opportunities are warranted.