Frequency and Predictors of Manual Use and Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions Among Clinicians Treating Eating Disorders in British Columbia
Date
2023-09-21
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Abstract
Several evidence-based psychological interventions (EBPIs) exist for eating disorders (EDs). Yet, these interventions and manuals are underutilised in clinical practice. This study described psychological interventions British Columbia (BC) clinicians used to treat EDs and examined factors associated with manual and EBPI use. Participants were recruited from a list of 1,530 potential participants created for this study by identifying clinicians listing online that they treat EDs, as well as through social media advertisement and snowball recruitment. One hundred and twenty-six community counsellors and psychotherapists providing psychological intervention to individuals with EDs across BC described their ED clients, psychological interventions used, and their training. To examine predictors of EBPI and manual use, these participants provided demographic information and completed measures of affect, intolerance of uncertainty, and attitudes toward treatment manuals. Overall, 8% of respondents indicated that they often used manuals in their clinical work. Use of EBPIs by clinicians for treatment of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder ranged from 2%-15%. Logistic regression analyses identified two factors associated with manual use included: negative attitudes toward manuals were associated with infrequent use of manuals, whereas positive attitudes toward manuals were associated with increased likelihood of manual use. Unexpectedly, logistic regression analyses did not identify any factors that significantly predicted of EBPI use. The low uptake of EBPIs for the treatment of EDs suggests that ED client may be receiving suboptimal care, highlighting the need for future work to address barriers to EBPI use. Future research should explore beyond clinician characteristics and investigate how external and intervention factors may impact the adoption and implementation of EBPIs and manuals in ED treatment.
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Keywords
eating disorders, evidence-based psychological interventions, protocol-based approaches, empirically supported treatments, therapist drift
Citation
Bajaj, D. (2023). Frequency and predictors of manual use and evidence-based psychological interventions among clinicians treating eating disorders in British Columbia (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.