Efficacy of Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment
Outcomes for care delivered via telehealth rival those of in-person care
across a number of conditions, while also addressing issues relating to
access to specialized care (Sproch, 2019). Since the onset of the
COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a staggering jump in mental health
conditions (MMWR, 2020). Rates of depression, anxiety, substance use
and suicidality have risen significantly since 2019 (MMWR, 2020), and
persons with existing psychiatric issues are particularly vulnerable.
Prevalence of comorbid anxiety, depression and substance use disorders
are increased in individuals with eating disorders, and there is an
expected increased burden on the health care system in the years ahead
(Woodside & Staab, 2006; Ulfvebrande et al., 2015). The social
isolation and challenges with service access highlight a need for
increased use of telehealth for delivery of evidence-based treatment. A
recent report described anticipated challenges (such as rapport
building, medical and weight monitoring) and proposed solutions for
delivering FBT virtually (Matheson et al., 2020). Findings suggest that
the merits of virtually-delivered FBT outweigh limitations and that
adaptations can be developed to minimize many of the challenges
(Matheson et al., 2020; Anderson, 2017).