Eating Disorders Clinician Credential

Occupational therapists have a long-standing and pivotal role in supporting the recovery of people affected by eating disorders (Clark and Navar, 2012). About 16 per cent of Australian adults live with a diagnosed eating disorder (Hay et. al., 2015), and about a third (31.6 per cent) of Australian adolescents engage in disordered eating behaviours within any given year (Deloitte Access Economics, 2012; NEDC, 2019). With psychosocial stressors stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, these statistics are set to rise (Touyz and Hay, 2020).

It is fitting that the recently developed Australia and New Zealand Academy of Eating Disorders (ANZAED) Clinical Practice and Training Standards and ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential have come at an opportune time to build workforce capacity to meet increased demand. Occupational therapists are invited to take part in the credentialing

Carol Jewell, Acting National Manager, Professional Practice and Development Dr Gabriella Heruc, Credentialing Director, Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders

program to get formal recognition of the expertise they bring to this area of practice. Applications for the ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential are free until 30 June 2022.

The ANZAED eating disorder treatment principles and general clinical practice standards were developed through widespread consultation and engagement of key professional bodies (Heruc et. al., 2020). OTA is proud of its contribution to these standards, which are recommended for mental health clinicians and dietitians providing treatment for people experiencing eating disorders. Separate mental health practice and training standards have also been devised as a foundation for strengthening the workforce, and providing guidance to professional training programs and service providers on the minimal standards required for practice in the eating disorder field (Hurst et. al., 2020). The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential provides formal recognition of qualifications, training and professional development activities needed to meet minimum standards for delivery of safe and effective eating disorders treatment. The criteria for the credential are built on the NEDC Workforce Core Competencies and the ANZAED Clinical Practice and Training Standards, which prescribe the minimum knowledge, practical skills and experience required of mental health and dietetic professionals to successfully respond to, treat and manage eating disorders, and constitute a basis for content of professional development and training (NEDC, 2018; Heruc et. al., 2020; Hurst et. al., 2020).

The credential’s purpose is two-fold: to help people experiencing eating disorders locate the right treatment at the right time, increasing the chances of timely intervention and positive treatment outcomes; and enhance the effectiveness and consistency of treatment for eating disorders in Australia. The credential is designed to support the treatment of individuals with eating disorders across all diagnostic presentations, from early intervention to complex and acute care in public and private settings. The credential is available to mental health professionals including counsellors, general practitioners, mental health nurses, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists,

psychotherapists and social workers, as well as dietitians, who meet its criteria.

Considerations of safety and risk for the consumer have been central in the development of the credential criteria. The NEDC Core Competencies and ANZAED Clinical Practice and Training Standards have been applied to an analysis of the curricula of the professional qualification of each of the eligible professions. Professional training and clinical experience, eating disorders introductory training, evidence-based treatment model training or evidence-informed dietetic practice training, and ongoing supervision and professional development relevant to eating disorders will provide assurance that credentialed eating disorder clinicians meet minimum safe standards for treatment.

Once credentialed, clinicians will be given a digital badge, the post-nominal, CEDC, and access to a new online platform, connect.ed, to build a clinician profile – enabling people experiencing eating disorders, their families and supports, as well as referrers, to find and connect with them as a treatment provider.

The credential aims to support and develop the eating disorder workforce so people experiencing eating disorders can access the right care at the right time. To help build the eating disorder treatment workforce, the credentialing system offers the following:

• Professional Development Packages with limited free training and supervision opportunities for clinicians starting an eating disorders practice; and • Limited Evidence Sunset Clause enabling written evidence to be submitted until 30 June 2022 for practising clinicians who may not have undertaken training in the mode prescribed, or may not have a record of having done so

Applications for the credential are free until 30 June 2022. All information can be found on the ANZAED website connected.anzaed.org.au Please note: limited places available. Summary

Occupational therapists have a unique and essential role in supporting people affected by eating disorders. OTA is therefore proud to have contributed to the development of the ANZAED Clinical Practice and Training Standards and the ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential. For more information about the limited number of free professional development packages available, or the limited evidence sunset clause, contact ANZAED directly at connected.anzaed.org.au. Applications for the credential are free until 30 June 2022.

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