Primary Care in Eating Disorders

“Primary care” is a term which encompasses a wide range of types and configurations of services, with variation both within countries and internationally. The role of primary care in the treatment of eating disorders depends first and foremost on what secondary or specialist services exist or are accessible to patients who are looked after by the primary care services. If no specialist services for eating disorders exist, then primary care health professionals may have to deliver all the treatment that eating disorder patients require. Even if there are excellent specialist services available, primary care nevertheless has a key role in coordinating care in a holistic, patient-centered way across specialties, especially when patients have multiple diagnoses and/or physical sequelae of their eating disorders. Primary care health professionals can be involved in early intervention, physical monitoring, and support of people with eating disorders. They also have a crucial role in prevention, early identification, post-discharge, and end-of-life care.