GPs failing to diagnose eating disorders

FEWER than 1 per cent of people with eating disorders who went to their GP were diagnosed with the illness or given any treatment, showing a worrying trend of patients falling through the cracks.

Alarming figures from the first national study into GP management of eating disorders found fewer than 1 per cent of more than 1.5 million presentations between 2001 and 2016 led to treatment.

Among the small group of people who did get support, only one in three were referred to a specialist such as a psychologist, a dietitian or a nutritionist.

Study co-author and InsideOut Institute director Sarah Maguire said GPs were not trained adequately to detect eating disorders.

“Our GPs are trying to do everything and they can’t be experts on everything,” Dr Maguire said.

“We cannot have them as the gatekeepers unsupported and untrained. We need immediate investment in training and clinical support, (and) tools and platforms that work within the existing structures, so the screening and assessment instruments are available to them.”

Australian Medical Association

NSW president Danielle McMullen said another barrier to diagnosis was the false belief that all people with an eating disorder had to be underweight.

“(There is a) misconception that everyone who has an eating disorder is underweight. We miss a whole heap of people because doctors or healthcare professionals are expecting someone underweight,” Dr McMullen said.