Telemedicine: An Effective Way of Treating Eating Disorders

Author: iaedp news
Published: 14 Feb 2016

Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: New workshop at 2016 iaedp symposium demonstrates success of telemedicine as effective means of treatment for eating disorders.

Introduction

Many eating disorder patients complete residential treatment and then find themselves without trained eating disorders professionals near their residence. The nature of the illnesses requires ongoing supervision, therapy and support. There are other patients who have no transportation, child care or time allotted at work to make traditional appointments. These people struggle to maintain recovery or to get any help with their eating disorder.

Main Content

The presentation, "Who Ya Gonna Call? Telemedicine, the Way of the Future" is just one of the more than 40 offered by leading eating disorder professionals during the annual iaedp Symposium at the Omni on Amelia Island in Florida held on February 17th to 21st, 2016.

The purpose of this presentation is to offer an alternative treatment option to patients who do not have access to care for their eating disorder.

Presenters of the workshop will discuss the pros and cons of telemedicine and reveal how to establish a standard of care utilizing this option.

The goals will be to establish a conversation with the audience to answer questions about this type of treatment and to look at what it takes to provide a high level of care to patients.

The ultimate goal is to assure that any patient with an eating disorder will have access to treatment regardless of their location. This takes an effort on the part of staff to work in a new environment and maintain the integrity and provide the results needed for the success of the program.

The lead presenter of this presentation is Vicki Berkus, MD, PhD, CEDS, currently the medical director for Bright heart health, a telemedicine group. Dr. Berkus, who is developing a community mental health eating disorder program, has been in private practice and director of the Eating Disorder Program at Fairwinds Treatment Center in Clearwater, Florida and Sierra Tucson in Tucson.

Co-presenter, Jonathan Ciampi, BS, is currently the CEO of Bright heart health and was the CMO for CRC Health Group. His expertise is in marketing and business management, and he has started and successfully managed other companies in health care. He is interested in developing the type of eating disorder care that each patient deserves regardless of location.