International Journal of Healthcare Simulation

Background and aim:

Research suggests that eating disorders (ED) in children and adolescents are on the rise [1]. One study found that the incidence of anorexia nervosa in young girls aged 10–14 years increased by 50% between 1980 and 2000 [2]. Another study reported a 119% increase in the number of hospitalizations for eating disorders in children aged 12 and under between 1999 and 2006 [3]. These statistics highlight the urgent need for improved prevention, early intervention and treatment of eating disorders in young people. This 1-day interactive simulation training course is designed to enhance the knowledge, confidence and skills of medical doctors, psychiatrists, RMNs, physical health nurses, dieticians, general practitioners and family therapists who are working with children and young people (CYP) with eating disorders.

Methods:

This 1-day simulation course was delivered online. The course focuses on the assessment and management of CYP with ED, understanding the challenges faced by professionals in engaging CYP with ED in different settings, thinking about dynamics within family systems and in wider systems, and gaining a better understanding of capacity, consent and other conundrums. The course includes simulated scenarios played by trained actors to support the development of effective communication skills and Maudsley debrief model is employed to give participants feedback on their contributions and assist them in learning positively and constructively from their experience. Participants completed a pre- and post-course questionnaire measuring their confidence in course-specific skills and human factors skills, as well as collecting qualitative feedback on their experience of the course and intention to apply the learning.

Results:

Participants were asked to complete a pre-course and post-course questionnaire rating their knowledge, confidence and skills related to working with patients with eating disorders. Paired samples t-tests were conducted to analyse the difference in ratings between the pre- and post-course questionnaires. Results demonstrated a significant difference in the scores for course-specific questions between the pre-course (M =25.48, SD = 4.50) and post-course (M = 32.44, SD = 3.53), t(12) = 46 p < .001, 95% CI [−8.11, −5.80]. 100% of the participants reported that they would recommend the course.

Conclusion:

The course was effective at improving participants’ knowledge, confidence and skills in working with CYP with ED. The participants found the course useful for their clinical practice.

Ethics statement:

Authors confirm that all relevant ethical standards for research conduct and dissemination have been met. The submitting author confirms that relevant ethical approval was granted, if applicable.