A multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of eating disorders via videoconferencing in north-east Scotland.
Until recently many remote communities in Scotland, especially on the northern islands, were unable to access specialist eating disorder services. The Grampian Eating Disorder Service, based in the north-east of Scotland, has developed a video-therapy service that offers specialist psychological and nutritional therapy for sufferers of eating disorders. Twelve patients have been treated via videoconferencing. Patients consistently rated high levels of satisfaction with all aspects of video-therapy, and after their last session 67% preferred video-therapy to face-to-face therapy. A number of patients commented that, compared with face-to-face therapy, they felt more in control and less intimidated in video-therapy. There was also a trend for patients to become more comfortable with video-therapy over the course of treatment. Nutritional knowledge increased for all patients, and the nutritional content of dietary intake also markedly improved over the course of therapy.
Simpson
Susan
S
Eating Disorder Service, Fulton Clinic, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen, UK. Susan.Simpson@gpct.grampian.scot.nhs.uk
Knox
Jane
J
Mitchell
Derek
D
Ferguson
James
J
Brebner
John
J
Brebner
Eileen
E
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012606:Scotland; D017216:Telemedicine; D016896:Treatment Outcome