title: Improving collaborative care in managing eating disorders: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of a continuing interprofessional educational workshop focused on eating disorders in a rural area in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada. The pilot study helped determine if the eating disorder workshop was feasible for implementation to a broader audience. A conceptual model developed by our eating disorder team and described in the article guided this innovative program.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intensive 2-day workshop was piloted in one community with 41 health and education professionals in attendance. A key element was the focus on creating and sustaining collaborative care for eating disorders. Participants completed pre-post workshop measures of interprofessional attitudes and skills, self-reported knowledge, confidence, and intention to change practice (post questionnaire only). A 6-month follow-up survey measured self-reported practice change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant positive changes in interprofessional attitudes and skills as well as knowledge and confidence in collaborative management of eating disorders. Post-workshop, 69% (n = 24/35) of participants indicated intention to change practice, and on follow-up, 7 of 10 respondents reported implementing changes in practice as a result of the workshop. Low response rate at follow-up was a limitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results support the impact of the workshop in improving knowledge, confidence, and attitudes toward collaboration and changing practice and the value of implementing the program province-wide.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada. oheath@mun.ca.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: English
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simms
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hollett
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dominic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057191:Capacity Building; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009523:Newfoundland and Labrador; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D011584:Psychology / Q000193:education; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D012424:Rural Population; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: chronic disease; collaboration; eating disorders; interprofessional education; mixed-methods research