Sarah Maguire|Ang Li|Michelle Cunich|Danielle Maloney
Evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence-based online training program for health professionals in eating disorders
University of Sydney|Sydney Local Health District|University of Sydney|Sydney Local Health District|University of Sydney|University of Sydney
early detection treatment essential ensuring best possible health outcomes people eating disorders eds however low diagnostic accuracy lack specific ed training common workforce challenges australia internationally online learning provides potential solution facilitating access evidencebased training programs insideout institute developed first online clinical training program eds assist educating health professionals identification assessment management eds aim study evaluate effectiveness online training program essentials mitigating barriers health professionals treating patients edspre post training questionnaires assessed participants attitudes knowledge skills relation treating people eds demographic workrelated information gender discipline work setting practice length remoteness participants ratings online learning experience satisfaction completion collected wilcoxon signed rank test applied test changes learning outcomes completion program multivariate linear regression model estimated learning outcomes personal workrelated characteristics covariatesamong 1813 health professionals registered essentials program 1 october 2013 31 july 2018 1160 completed least 80 five learning modules significant improvements confidence knowledge skills treat eds reduction stigmatised beliefs among 480 participants completed pre post assessments results regression models suggest psychologists dieticians working rural areas willing treat eds completing program additionally working hospitals regional rural areas experienced largest improvement confidence treating patients edsthe essentials program represents new effective way meeting educational needs partaking health professionals working ed patients greater investment development testing evidencebased online training programs eds may help address considerable workforce development challenges eds