The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for health care providers: clinician perspectives
Abstract Background Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) in 2022 established a credentialing system for eating disorder (ED) clinicians that recognises a minimum knowledge, training, and ongoing professional development necessary to provide safe and effective care. The a...
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BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Eating Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01309-8 |
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| author | Katarina Prnjak Janet Conti Madalyn McCormack Gabriella Heruc Siân A. McLean Rebecca Barns Phillipa Hay |
| author_facet | Katarina Prnjak Janet Conti Madalyn McCormack Gabriella Heruc Siân A. McLean Rebecca Barns Phillipa Hay |
| author_sort | Katarina Prnjak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) in 2022 established a credentialing system for eating disorder (ED) clinicians that recognises a minimum knowledge, training, and ongoing professional development necessary to provide safe and effective care. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of credentialed clinicians with the new credentialing system, in particular, their view on continuous professional development (CPD) and supervision required for maintaining the credentialed status, as well as how becoming credentialed has affected their clinical work. Methods Two hundred and twenty-eight credentialed clinicians (92.5% female; 41.7% psychologists; 39.5% dietitians) completed an online survey consisting of multiple choice and open-ended questions regarding their experience with the credentialing system and perceptions of the CPD program. Results Credentialed clinicians reported that CPD increased their confidence and willingness to deliver ED treatment, and that supervision enhanced their reflective skills and ethical thinking, whilst 75% of clinicians reported that attaining the Credential had not changed the number of ED patients that they were currently treating on a weekly basis. Content analysis of open-ended questions resulted in three broad themes: professional/personal development; improving care; and acknowledgement and recognition. Differences were found between clinicians working in private practice and those working in public health or both settings with regards to impacts on client referrals to their services. Conclusions These findings show that credentialed clinicians perceived a positive experience with the Credential and its ongoing CPD program. However, there may be a need to increase the visibility and external awareness of the credentialing system. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-248c2d7397d24be28e0bda1a7dfc3ff7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-2974 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-248c2d7397d24be28e0bda1a7dfc3ff72025-08-20T03:47:24ZengBMCJournal of Eating Disorders2050-29742025-06-0113S111310.1186/s40337-025-01309-8The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for health care providers: clinician perspectivesKatarina Prnjak0Janet Conti1Madalyn McCormack2Gabriella Heruc3Siân A. McLean4Rebecca Barns5Phillipa Hay6Graduate School of Health, University of Technology SydneySchool of Psychology, Western Sydney UniversityTranslational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney UniversityEating Disorders and Nutrition Research Group, Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney UniversitySchool of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe UniversityTranslational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney UniversityTranslational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney UniversityAbstract Background Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) in 2022 established a credentialing system for eating disorder (ED) clinicians that recognises a minimum knowledge, training, and ongoing professional development necessary to provide safe and effective care. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of credentialed clinicians with the new credentialing system, in particular, their view on continuous professional development (CPD) and supervision required for maintaining the credentialed status, as well as how becoming credentialed has affected their clinical work. Methods Two hundred and twenty-eight credentialed clinicians (92.5% female; 41.7% psychologists; 39.5% dietitians) completed an online survey consisting of multiple choice and open-ended questions regarding their experience with the credentialing system and perceptions of the CPD program. Results Credentialed clinicians reported that CPD increased their confidence and willingness to deliver ED treatment, and that supervision enhanced their reflective skills and ethical thinking, whilst 75% of clinicians reported that attaining the Credential had not changed the number of ED patients that they were currently treating on a weekly basis. Content analysis of open-ended questions resulted in three broad themes: professional/personal development; improving care; and acknowledgement and recognition. Differences were found between clinicians working in private practice and those working in public health or both settings with regards to impacts on client referrals to their services. Conclusions These findings show that credentialed clinicians perceived a positive experience with the Credential and its ongoing CPD program. However, there may be a need to increase the visibility and external awareness of the credentialing system.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01309-8Anorexia nervosaBulimia nervosaBinge eating disorderContinuing professional developmentClinician supervision |
| spellingShingle | Katarina Prnjak Janet Conti Madalyn McCormack Gabriella Heruc Siân A. McLean Rebecca Barns Phillipa Hay The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for health care providers: clinician perspectives Journal of Eating Disorders Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa Binge eating disorder Continuing professional development Clinician supervision |
| title | The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for health care providers: clinician perspectives |
| title_full | The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for health care providers: clinician perspectives |
| title_fullStr | The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for health care providers: clinician perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for health care providers: clinician perspectives |
| title_short | The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for health care providers: clinician perspectives |
| title_sort | anzaed eating disorder credential for health care providers clinician perspectives |
| topic | Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa Binge eating disorder Continuing professional development Clinician supervision |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01309-8 |
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