Development and implementation of a credentialing system for clinicians providing eating disorder care

With eating disorder prevalence increasing in Australia and around the world, it is critical that clinicians are trained in eating disorder treatment and that people with eating disorders, their families and supports can identify suitably trained clinicians. With funding from the Australian Government, the Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) and National Eating Disorders Collaboration partnered to develop and implement a novel credentialing system to recognise dietitians and mental health professionals with a minimum level of knowledge, experience, and training in eating disorder care. This paper aims to describe the development and implementation of this credentialing system, exploring its initial uptake by clinicians. In developing the Credential, initial scoping work included extensive consultation with clinicians, peak professional bodies, and those with lived experience of an eating disorder and their families. Once the criteria for the ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential were established and a custom website built, the Credential opened for applications from clinicians on 24 November 2021. To engage with clinicians, incentive schemes were used, including a limited evidence sunset period encouraging the existing workforce to apply, and professional development programs targeting the upskilling of clinicians new to eating disorder treatment. In the first 19 months of the Credential, 1410 clinicians (including 511 dietitians and 899 mental health professionals) were awarded the Credential. Although there was a small amount of anticipated attrition during the first renewal period, 1275 clinicians remained currently credentialed at 30 June 2023. Overall, most credentialed clinicians were private practitioners, likely motivated by the need for professional recognition. To support program improvements and long-term sustainability, future research will explore the benefits, impacts, and challenges of the credentialing system as perceived by clinicians and people with an eating disorder and their families.