[Role of outpatient psychiatry in therapy of patients with eating disorder].
Eating disorders are common illness but the proportion of those in treatment is still low and their liability to abandon treatment is a constant danger. This is largely due to the pathology: in particular splitting and denial. Thus, the integration of various types of treatment is essential and the process of integration will be efficiently managed if a psychiatric clinic works as a center of the therapeutic network. Formerly, long-term in-patient treatment was regarded as the best choice for treating the patient thoroughly. Nowadays such treatment is not recommended due to the large cost involved in such treatment. Also, removing the patient from a community environment and confining them to an institution over a long period is now regarded as discouraging independence. Thus, the focus of treatment has shifted from in-patient to out-patient treatment. A new model for multi-disciplinary work is now needed because sharing patient information between professionals is more difficult at the outpatient clinic than on an in-patient ward with shared case notes. In order to make the treatment network functional, patients themselves are expected to possess a clear understanding of the illness and its treatment. The application of motivational enhancement theory is useful in this respect. It is the responsibility of psychiatric clinics to encourage the continuous improvement of patient motivation for treatment and to make patients tolerant towards changes in treatment settings.
Nishizono
Fumi M
FM
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D009042:Motivation; D011570:Psychiatry