Eating Recovery Center releases white paper on referral practices

Eating Recovery CenterSep 2 2009

Eating Recovery Center (www.eatingrecoverycenter.com), a behavioral hospital focused on comprehensive and sustainable treatment of eating disorders, today released a white paper, "Eating Recovery Center's Report on Referral Practices: Recent Research Reveals Trends in the Process of Referrals for Eating Disordered Patients." The only facility in the Rocky Mountain region to provide a full spectrum of treatment options for adults with eating disorders, Eating Recovery Center is committed to ongoing research among eating disorder professionals. This report, available at https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/professionals.php, addresses findings of its May 2009 study highlighting referral trends, and offers insight and recommendations into successfully and appropriately referring eating disordered patients.

The research report:

-- Outlines situations in which a patient referral may be necessary

-- Proposes factors to consider when making a referral

-- Recommends tips for finding a referral source, and

-- Offers tools to overcome common obstacles to successful patient referral.

"With successful eating disorder treatment relying on a coordinated interplay among weight restoration, therapy, nutrition education, disease management and in severe cases, medical stabilization, clinicians are finding it critical to work with other professionals and refer patients when necessary," explained Kenneth L. Weiner, M.D., medical director of the Eating Recovery Center. "It's important that when referring, clinicians understand the significance of finding the right solution for each patient's individual needs."

Trends discussed in the research report were uncovered in a survey completed by 158 clinicians from across the U.S. who are engaged in eating disorder treatment. Psychologists represented 39 percent of all survey respondents, with psychiatrists, therapists, licensed social workers, registered dietitians and other clinical professionals representing the remaining respondents. Nearly half of the survey respondents (47%) treat patients in an individual private practice.