Evidence-Based Treatment and Access Limitations
A study exploring types of therapeutic approaches used by community providers treating eating disorders demonstrated that, despite the abundance of evidence supporting FBT as a first line treatment, the majority of providers do not adhere to best practice standards/evidence based practices. The approach most commonly used by psychotherapy providers is ‘eclectic’ (43%), and addiction-based/’12-step’ approaches (26%) (Von Ranson et al., 2013).  Further, the majority (57%) received no clinical training or supervision on eating disorders. The most common reasons for choice of approach are compatibility with clinicians’ style and training, and ‘appropriateness’ based on clinical judgment. Only a minority endorsed choosing an approach because it was supported by evidence, and it is well documented that favoring clinical judgment over well established interventions results in poorer outcomes (Von Ranson et al., 2013; Waller, 2016).