Resiliency Technologies has been collaborating with national researchers and specialists in eating disorders since 2006 to create Sharpen’s array of eating disorder training programs. Updated in 2024 with recent research and additional documentary films featuring clinicians and individuals with lived expertise, the Sharpen Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention (SEDAP) training for medical students and physicians is now helping bridge important gaps in knowledge and care.
Funded through support from Spartanburg Regional Healthcare Foundation and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), the project to develop, implement and evaluate the SEDAP program for physicians began back in 2021 when members of the United Way of the Piedmont / Behavioral Health Task Force noted a growing problem. A task force was assembled and national, regional and local researchers* brought together. After nearly three years of strategic planning, live trainings, participatory research from community and medical stakeholders, our team traveled the country to capture hundreds of hours of film footage - answering the common questions requested.
Below is a brief clip of Timothy D. Brewerton, MD sharing insights regarding eating disorders and co-morbidities.
The SEDAP program was assembled into the asynchronous, 5 hour course. Learning objectives include:
✔ Understand the prevalence and severity of eating disorders (ED)
✔ Discuss ED risk factors and protective factors.
✔ Identify common ED symptoms and diagnoses.
✔ Understand weight stigma and bias.
✔ Discuss ways to screen for ED symptoms when indicated.
✔ Understand the impact of trauma and co-morbid diagnoses on ED development and treatment.
✔ Identify ways that physicians can initiate and manage treatment for ED.
✔ Identify specific steps to assist patients in getting the care they need, including referrals for medical, psychological, behavioral, and peer support as needed.
In September, 2024, VCOM and SRHS made SEDAP a required training.
*Research publications are anticipated for 2025.
--
This evidence-based Sharpen Eating Disorder Awareness & Prevention program for medical professionals / providers comprised of online modular content has been developed over the course of 17 years working with researchers in disordered eating prevention.
Research / evaluation team for medical school training program:
Duke Biber, Ph.D.
Timothy Brewerton, M.D.
Maggie Gainey, Ph.D.
Natalie Fadel, Psy.D.
Robyn Hussa Farrell, MFA, E-RYT, YACEP
Tim Farrell
David Redden, Ph.D.
Alexis Stoner, Ph.D.
Participants in the film and modular content include:
Chase Bannister, LISW
Mary Bartlett, Ph.D.
Ovidio Bermudez, M.D.
Rick Bishop, M.D.
Timothy Brewerton, M.D.
Cynthia Bulik, Ph.D.
Deb Burgard, Ph.D.
Lisa Carroll, M.D.
Carolyn Costin, MFT
Julisu Dimucci-Ward, Ph.D., MPH, RDN
Natalie Fadel, Psy.D.
Maggie Gainey, Ph.D.
Stephen Hinshaw, Ph.D.
Craig Johnson, Ph.D.
Walter Kaye, M.D.
Laura Lees, Psy.D., CEDS
Carolina Makowski, Ph.D.
Angela Mensah, Ph.D.
Susan Murray, Ph.D.
Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, M.D.
Ana Ramirez, Ph.D.
Rani
Carey Rothschild, MPH
Roxanne Rockwell, Ph.D.
Sam
Sami
Sarah
Pat Santucci, M.D.
Doris Smeltzer
Joslyn Smith
Karen Sossin, MS, CDN
Alexis Stoner, Ph.D.
Chevese Turner
Ken Weiner, M.D.
History of this program.
The documentary films contained within the modules have been featured at multiple national medical and educational conferences; including the National Eating Disorders Association, International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals, as well as in over 500 academic institutions and treatment centers as training tools for licensed clinicians.
Previous versions of this program have been utilized as a professional development training tool for over 5,000 educators and school professionals in 14 states and has shown to improve confidence and competence in managing eating disorders in the school setting (Anderson et al, 2017).
Our team has over 20 binders containing the findings from over 25,000 post-program surveys. Foundational feasibility study was published in Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention and found to increase competence and confidence in assisting a person who was struggling with disordered eating (Anderson et al, 2017).
Comments