Audit on the role of the eating disorder psychiatrist

Consultant eating disorder (ED) psychiatrists play a lead role among the multidisciplinary team within ED services, as their skill set equips them to manage these complex disorders effectively using a multidimensional approach. The aim of this audit was to determine the degree of alignment of consultant ED psychiatrist roles with the 2014 Royal College of Psychiatrists guidelines (1), focusing on clinical work, leadership and educational responsibilities. Fifteen consultant ED psychiatrists were interviewed and their self-reported roles were compared to the guideline set by the Royal College. The data showed that clinical responsibilities were the most consistently performed (100%), while educational roles, specifically external education, were least represented (13.3%). Leadership responsibilities, mainly service development, were also prominent (80.0%) but some psychiatrists reported insufficient time for other responsibilities, such as therapeutic work and training. No psychiatrist was able to fulfil all of the roles described in the 2014 guidelines. This audit highlights the differences between Royal College expectations and current practice, emphasising the importance of further investment in consultant ED psychiatry to enhance service delivery.