Abstract
Objective
Develop and pilot-test the efficacy of an online training in improving comfort, knowledge, and behaviors related to eating disorders (EDs) screening among U.S.-based pediatric primary care providers (PCPs).
Methods
PCPs (N = 84) completed a baseline survey assessing comfort, knowledge, and behaviors regarding ED screening and referral, then watched a 1-h training video followed by a post-video survey. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to complete spaced-education questions in the following 2 months. All participants completed a 2-month follow-up survey. We used McNemar’s and McNemar–Bowker tests to assess differences from baseline to post-video and post-video to follow-up, and logistic models to assess differences by spaced-education condition.
Results
From baseline to post-video, there were significant improvements in PCPs’ knowledge about and comfort in screening and making referrals for EDs (p < .05). There were no differences between spaced-education conditions in knowledge and behaviors from baseline or post-video to follow-up, but spaced-education participants reported significantly greater comfort in screening for BN (p < .01) and BED (p < .01) compared to non-spaced-education participants.
Discussion
Findings suggest that a 1-h asynchronous training can improve PCP comfort, knowledge, and behavior in screening for EDs; spaced-education may provide slight additional benefits in PCP comfort.
Public Significance
The delivery of an 1-h asynchronous online video training helped to improve PCPs’ comfort, knowledge, and behavior in screening and referral for EDs among pediatric populations. This has implications for future evaluations of brief trainings among this provider population, which could ultimately help to improve early identification of EDs and referrals to appropriate treatment.