Integrating carers’ experiences and barriers to treatment from ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinicians and non-credentialed clinicians in Australia

Background Eating disorder (ED) rates are rising in Australia, yet many individuals are not accessing timely or appropriate treatment. A key barrier is the availability of clinicians with the clinical knowledge and training to assess, diagnose, and provide timely, safe, and effective eating disorder treatment. The Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) introduced the ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential (the Credential) to address this challenge and ease the burden on individuals living with an eating disorder, their carers’, and other supporting health professionals. The current study aims to explore parents’ and carers’ experience of eating disorder treatment in Australia provided by Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinicians (credentialed clinicians) and non-credentialed clinicians. Methods An exploratory mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted involving 51 participants who had cared for a young person, family member, or loved one with an ED who received treatment by a credentialed clinician or a non-credentialed clinician. Participants were recruited via Australian eating disorder services and organisations, with recruitment information distributed through their email and social media platforms. Participants completed a survey with open- and closed-ended questions on their attitudes towards the Credential and their experiences of treatment by a credentialed clinician or non-credentialed clinician. Descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to examine differences in treatment experiences and perceptions of treatment between participants who had experience with credentialed and non-credentialed clinicians, alongside content analysis of open-ended survey responses. Results The Credential was valued among parents and carers, irrespective of whether they had experience with a credentialed clinician. Parents and carers also expressed an overall preference for treatment from a credentialed clinician. However, when considering perceived therapeutic success, credentialing status was considered less important than other factors such as access, collaborative care, therapeutic rapport, and individualised treatment. Further, despite the introduction of the Credential, several barriers to safe and effective ED treatment remain. Conclusions The Credential is an important step towards improving the standards of care and treatment experiences for individuals with eating disorders and their families. However, addressing ongoing barriers to access and delivery of care will be critical to realising its full potential.