How to Collaborate with Treatment Professionals Overseas

During the course of a career as a treatment provider, it may be necessary to collaborate with professionals located overseas. You may have a patient who will be traveling extensively or even relocating to a foreign country.

You might also be approached by an overseas provider to assist with a patient who will be in your area temporarily.

The thought of collaborating with an overseas provider may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few simple steps that can help ease the uncertainty.

Step 1: Utilize Existing Eating Disorder Associations

Many national and international eating disorder associations have chapters and affiliates located worldwide. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to reach out to overseas practitioners.

Three of the best known associations with international members include the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED), the International Association for Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp), and the World Psychiatric Association (WPA). Each of these organizations also sponsors international-based conferences and symposiums, which can serve as great place to meet colleagues from around the world.

AED has 23 partner organizations worldwide, and links to each partner organization on their website. Similarly, iaedp hosts an international chapter, and contact information is freely available online. WPA has a section dedicated to eating disorders, and has been in existence since 1950. The WPA boasts a wide membership across 117 countries worldwide, and representing more than 200,000 psychiatrists [1].

Step 2: Reach Out to Academic Departments and Organizations

Many colleges and universities have agreements and relationships with overseas researchers and professionals. By reaching out to colleges and universities, there may be opportunities to engage in research.

Researchers and research consortiums are often looking to partner with practitioners, presenting an excellent opportunity to learn about ongoing and current research in the field. There may even be opportunities to co-author research papers, posters, or projects for presentation at academic or practice-based conferences, as well as publishing results in journals and the media.

There are many eating disorder journals that publish research findings, including the Journal of Eating Disorders, BMC Psychiatry, European Eating Disorders Review and the International Journal of Eating Disorders, to name a few.

One of the most famous research consortiums is the The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) at the University of North Carolina.

The PGC connects scientists globally to conduct various gene-based studies for all types of mental disorders. The PGC began in early 2007 and includes over 800 investigators from 38 countries.

They have examined genes from more than 900,000 individuals, and this number is growing rapidly.

Initially, the PGC focused on autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, but currently conducts larger studies on eating disorders, substance use disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorders [2].

Step 3: Remember That Eating Disorder Treatment Approaches Vary

There is no single agreed upon approach to the treatment or management of eating disorders. Treatment, duration, and intensity can vary depending on the provider and the setting. What may be common practice in one country might be considered experimental in another.

Even when looking at differences between countries, social norms, cultural differences and therapeutic training, all therapies are not evidence-based interventions that have a focus on eating disorders. The range of eating disorder services you encounter may include individual psychological therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, motivational enhancement therapy and family interventions [3].

In some countries, it is common for nutritional management approaches to be provided by a dietitian or nutritionist during treatment. Patients from other countries may not have experience using the services of a dietitian or a nutritionist team, and can sometimes be reluctant to enter into a treatment program that includes these services.

Also, medication-based approaches can vary significantly between countries, so understanding the differences in prescribing authorities and availability of medications can help when designing a treatment plan with a foreign collaborator.

Complementary and holistic treatment approaches can also vary greatly between countries and regions. The use of yoga, acupuncture, meditation and mindfulness, while commonplace in some areas, may not be used or practiced in other regions.

When dealing with professionals in these treatment approaches, it is important to check they are registered with a professional accrediting body and whether they have had any experience in working directly with the eating disorder population.

While the thought of working and collaborating with a foreign provider may seem daunting, by remembering a few simple steps, providers can be well on their way to a successful collaboration.

Professional associations and their broad member directories can really help you make initial contacts with foreign providers.

Academic organizations can be helpful in connecting providers and researchers. The most important thing to remember is that approaches will vary, and it is important to understand and appreciate the many treatment modalities that are in practice around the globe.

 

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About the Author: Libby Lyons is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). Libby has been practicing in the field of eating disorders, addictions, depression, anxiety and other comorbid issues in various agencies. Libby has previously worked as a contractor for the United States Air Force Domestic Violence Program, Saint Louis University Student Health and Counseling, Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute Eating Disorders Program, and has been in Private Practice.

Libby currently works as a counselor at Fontbonne University and is a Adjunct Professor at Saint Louis University, and is a contributing author for Addiction Hope and Eating Disorder Hope. Libby lives in the St. Louis area with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family, running, and watching movies.

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References:

[1]: Quick Links. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2017, from http://www.wpanet.org/detail.php?section_id=11&content_id=463
[2] Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. (2017, April 03). Retrieved May 24, 2017, from http://www.med.unc.edu/pgc/
[3] National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). (1970, January 01). Treatment and management of anorexia nervosa. Retrieved May 22, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK49301/

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Published on June 25, 2017.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on June 25, 2017.
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com