Experiences of patients with eating disorders in primary care – a literature review

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that are increasing in prevalence and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Primary care professionals (PCPs), who are often people’s first point of contact with healthcare services, are well placed to identify eating disorders and provide appropriate support and management, including referral to specialist services. However, people with eating disorders tend to avoid seeking support and often hide or minimise their symptoms during consultations. This literature review explored the experiences of patients with eating disorders in primary care to identify causes of negative experiences and facilitators of positive experiences. Patients’ experiences were predominantly negative, indicating the need for PCPs to develop a better understanding of eating disorders and adopt a more holistic approach. Improving PCP training on how to identify, assess and manage patients with eating disorders would make patients feel that professional support is available in primary care and therefore help reduce barriers to seeking support.