The ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential for health care providers: clinician perspectives

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.