UK Adolescent Medicine, UHS host conference on eating disorders

UK Adolescent Medicine and University Health Services are hosting a group of experts from the Eating Recovery Center to speak about treating eating disorders. This event is free and open to the public. Continuing education units are available to social workers, psychologists, dietitians, physicians and nurses.

The event will take place Thursday, December 13, in the Karpf Auditorium in Pavilion A of UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital from 8 a.m. to noon. Registration will be from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

Please email Elizabeth Johnson at e.jay@uky.edu to register or to ask questions about the event.

These speakers will present on the following topics:

Enhancing Motivation and Engagement in Eating Disorder Treatment: Strategies for “Stuck” Patients

Presenter: Diana J. Tieger, PsyD

Tieger will outline how to understand barriers to eating disorder treatment engagement in patients who are resistant to being treated. She will discuss relevant evidence-based assessment and intervention techniques and describe the role of multidisciplinary collaboration and clinician self-care as well as options for caregiver/support person involvement.

Helping Patients Build a Life Worth Living: Treatments for Eating and Co-occurring Disorders

Presenter: Allison Mecca, MD

Approximately 80 percent of people with eating disorders will be diagnosed with another psychiatric disorder sometime in their lifetime, such as depressive, anxiety and personality disorders. Mecca will discuss various evidence-based treatment modalities for treating eating and co-occurring disorders because acknowledging and addressing these co-occurring disorders is vital for recovery. 

Keys to Treatment from a Weight-inclusive Framework

Presenter: Ashley L. Solomon, PsyD, CEDS

Research indicates the impact of weight stigma on health is in fact greater than the perceived impacts of weight itself on health. Healthcare providers carry their own biases regarding weight, shape, and size, so in order to provide ethical and effective treatment, providers must examine their own beliefs in the context of current evidence and challenge the status quo. Solomon will offer context for a weight-inclusive approach and strategies for welcoming patients of all sizes into your care.

Presenter: Elizabeth Wassenaar, MD

Wassenaar will give an overview of recognizing and addressing the medical complications of eating disorders and re-feeding syndrome, including how to know if your patient needs to be hospitalized. She will also examine what happens when somatic symptom disorder presents in eating disorders and what to do when patients have concerns about their care.