Think Tank to support and strengthen workforce for eating disorders: A national planning event

The COVID-19 crisis resulted in a startling increase in rates of eating disorders (EDs) among Canadian children and youth. The system was poorly equipped to respond to the increased needs. To better understand these needs and the gaps in our current ED system of care, a national team came together to look at prevalence and the social and economic impact of COVID-19 on EDs in children, youth, families and the system. This study sought to collect both national administrative data and data from ED community organizations. To further tell the story, the study also heard from approximately 125 individuals with lived experience, primary caregivers, clinicians and decision-makers via a survey and follow up discussion groups to hear their perspective. Next steps are to identify how to use this information to transform the health workforce to better the system of care for those with EDs. We will accomplish this by bringing together our already-collaborating partners to a 1-day event where we can generate a strategy for training larger workforce to address EDs. Invited partners are individuals and organizations with diverse expertise in the ED community, including individuals and families with living/lived experience and international collaborator Dr. Stephen Touyz representing the InsideOut Institute in Australia. The InsideOut Institute is a successful example of workforce building and system transformation in the field of EDs. The objectives of the current planning grant are to bring together diverse stakeholders to reflect on the costing data and learn from Australian colleagues to agree upon strategies for developing and providing training resources to healthcare professionals across Canada. The result of increasing the workforce would ultimately increase service delivery to those with EDs for the purpose of system transformation. Outcomes from the planning activity will be compiled into a report that provides guidance for the creation of this training platform.