Overall awareness of eating disorders has increased, as has the importance of recognizing diversity, factoring in the social determinants of health, and providing gender-affirming care. Technology has evolved, and with it the knowledge of how this has helped and hurt those with eating disorders. Research is expanding, with a greater significance being placed on collaboration and strategies that focus on improved quality of life, such as harm reduction principles.
With decades of experience to leverage and build on, the Princeton Center for Eating Disorders team facilitates change around advances such as these through both internal and external connections – often stepping outside of its formal network to incorporate the insights of community-based experts into treatment approaches.
“Establishing partnerships helps to inform and align the care we provide,” says Robbi Alexander, PhD, APN, PMHCNS-BC, Director of Princeton Center for Eating Disorders. “We not only serve as a resource and safety net for our community, but we also benefit from learning from community thought leaders and patients. We’re now conducting interesting research that incorporates real-world insights and lived experience.”
Meeting of the Minds
The evolution of care was discussed at a recent Princeton Center for Eating Disorders mini-retreat, with multidisciplinary team members joined by former Director Melinda Parisi Cummings, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Graduate Programs in Counseling Psychology at Holy Family University, and Jill Shaffer, RD, CEDRD-S, renowned eating disorders dietitian in private practice, both of whom serve as consultants for Princeton Center for Eating Disorders.
The team examined strategies that lend themselves to greater engagement in treatment, including:
- Meeting patients where they are
- Continuing to harness the power of virtual technology to expand care access
- Collaborating with physicians, other care providers, and community stakeholders
- Fostering collaborative, relationship-based care
- Focusing on improved quality of life
“We’ve always collaborated with patients to a certain degree, but truly placing them at the center of care and meeting them where they are is critical in today’s environment,” says Shaffer. “The more creative we can be in making treatment more convenient and working together at all levels of care, the better.”
| Stay tuned for additional research updates, focus group opportunities, and continuing education webinars and conferences. |