“惊人的”知识差距

Physicians need to learn more about disordered eating behaviors in patients with diabetes, according to research led by a medical student from 十大菠菜台子 William Beaumont School of Medicine.

“Physicians’ Knowledge and Attitudes of Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Patients with Diabetes,由纳伊里·哈查多里安领导, M3.

合著者是 洛厄尔Schmeltz, M.D., an endocrinologist and associate professor, OUWB; Michael Brennan, D.O, an endocrinologist and assistant professor, OUWB; and Virginia Uhley, Ph.D., a nutritionist and associate professor, Foundational Medical Studies, OUWB.

简而言之, the study highlights a “staggering” gap in medical education programs regarding training around disordered eating behaviors (DEBs), which essentially refers to unhealthy habits that are especially problematic for patients with diabetes, yet fall short of the criteria to meet “official” eating disorder diagnosis.

Schmeltz says the study starts at “the root of the issue — lack of physician knowledge or comfort” and addresses “a major problem that is often overlooked in the care of diabetes patients.”

“There is a lot of research that shows patients are at higher risk of disordered eating behaviors,哈查都里安说. “But (before this study) there was no study to assess whether or not physicians, 尤其是管理糖尿病患者的内分泌学家, 在培训的任何时候都受过这方面的教育吗.”

“严重的医疗并发症”

Khatchadourian is from Los Angeles and earned an undergraduate degree from UCLA and a master’s in public health from George Washington University.

She co-authored a book in 2018 called “The Price of 成功: Understanding the Cost of Getting a College Degree.” The book stresses the importance for college student of self-care through diet, 锻炼, 和冥想.

Nutrition and eating disorders have always been of interest to her, 她说. In fact, Khatchadourian plans to specialize in psychiatry upon graduation from OUWB.

“Physicians’ Knowledge and Attitudes of Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Patients with Diabetes,” is the result of her seeking a project related to nutrition and eating disorders for her 开始 project.

开始 is a required scholarly concentration program of OUWB that provides a mentored introduction to research and scholarship. The four-year longitudinal curriculum consists of structured coursework in research design and implementation, 合规培训, 研究交流, 学术性的陈述, with protected time to develop mentored projects in a wide-range of community and health-related settings. 

考虑到她对营养和饮食失调的兴趣, Khatchadourian says she wanted to pursue a related topic for her 开始 project.

这个特别的项目完全符合要求, 她说, because the relationship between patients with diabetes and food is a complex one, primarily due to the impact of having to micromanage and track everything they eat.

“Eating becomes a lot of work for them and that makes them hyper-focused on what they’re putting into their bodies, 所以他们的风险更高,哈查都里安说. “Also with this population, it’s generally not good to develop disordered eating behaviors…. 你可能会有严重的医疗并发症.”

“一个大问题”

研究 for the study began with development of a short survey intended to take no more than five minutes to complete.

The team received responses from 34 endocrinologists with up to 35 years of experience.

这些, about 59% reported not having received any education about identifying or assessing for DEBs among patients with diabetes. About 68% said that they did not believe they have the tools or resources available to assist a patient with DEB.

Schmeltz

“The takeaway from this project is that there is a significant gap in physician knowledge around eating disorders in patients with diabetes,施梅尔茨说. “They don't need to become experts but should be screening patients regularly for signs of eating disorders and know what resources are available to assist them (dietitians, 认证糖尿病教育者, 心理学家, 等.).” 

“Addressing eating disorders directly will often overcome barriers to improving diabetes control and therefore reduce the future risk of diabetic complications,他补充道.

Khatchadourian says the team has talked about two big changes that could come about as a result of the study.

一个, the team has talked about incorporating three key questions that will always be asked when a doctor opens a patient chart.

和两个, the team has talked about creating a continuing medical education module or video on the topic.

Khatchadourian also has been busy telling as many people as she can about the study.

今年早些时候, she presented the research at the ADA American Diabetes Association conference in New Orleans.

“反响很好，”她说. “有很多内分泌学家来找我，说这是个大问题.”

She also talked about the research on a popular podcast produced by The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative called Peace Meal, 是关于饮食失调的吗. 她还利用社交媒体传播研究结果.

“Being an advocate is a huge thing for me…I’m trying to find interesting avenues to reach people,她说。. “I think it’s our responsibility to step into those spheres and platforms in order to provide more evidence-based information.”