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Eating Disorder Awareness Training for Primary Care Clinicians

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Summary

Eating Disorder Awareness Training helps primary care clinicians recognise possible signs of eating disorders, approach sensitive conversations with greater confidence and take appropriate action to support patients.

Eating disorders may present through physical, psychological or behavioural changes, and the signs are not always immediately obvious. This course helps clinicians look beyond common assumptions, understand a wider range of presentations and respond appropriately when concerns arise.

Using realistic primary care scenarios, delegates will explore how to discuss concerns sensitively, gather relevant information and consider appropriate assessment, triage, referral and follow-up within their professional role and local pathways.

Aims

Eating Disorder Awareness Training gives primary care clinicians the knowledge and confidence to recognise possible eating disorders, discuss concerns sensitively and support patients towards appropriate care.

  • Understand what eating disorders are and recognise that they can affect people of any age, gender, background or body size.
  • Identify common and less obvious physical, psychological and behavioural signs of an eating disorder.
  • Recognise why appearance, weight or BMI alone should not be used to exclude the possibility of an eating disorder.
  • Develop confidence in opening sensitive, non-judgemental conversations with patients when concerns arise.
  • Use language that reduces shame, stigma and defensiveness while supporting honest discussion.
  • Understand the information that may be relevant when assessing a patient within the boundaries of the clinician’s role and competence.
  • Recognise potential red flags and understand when urgent escalation may be required.
  • Consider appropriate triage, referral, safety-netting and follow-up in line with local pathways.
  • Understand the importance of documentation, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
  • Apply learning to realistic primary care scenarios and everyday clinical practice.
How Long Is The Course?

Eating Disorder Awareness Training is typically delivered as a half-day workshop and can be provided online or face-to-face for GP practices, Primary Care Networks, Training Hubs and Integrated Care Boards.

The course combines current evidence, facilitated discussion and realistic primary care case studies to help clinicians recognise eating disorders earlier, have compassionate and effective conversations, and understand appropriate assessment, triage, referral and follow-up within their professional role.

Course duration and content can also be adapted to meet the learning needs of individual organisations or multidisciplinary clinical teams.

Who Should Attend?

This course has been developed for primary care clinicians who may encounter patients with known or suspected eating disorders during routine clinical practice. It is particularly suitable for clinicians who want to build confidence in recognising early signs, having sensitive conversations and supporting patients towards appropriate assessment and care.

    • Practice Nurses
    • Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)
    • General Practitioners (GPs)
    • Nursing Associates
    • Healthcare Assistants undertaking clinical duties
    • Physician Associates
    • Paramedics working in primary care
    • Clinical Pharmacists
    • Other registered healthcare professionals working within NHS primary care.

    The programme is also suitable for Primary Care Networks, GP practices, Training Hubs and Integrated Care Boards wishing to develop a consistent, evidence-informed approach to recognising eating disorders, supporting patients and understanding appropriate referral pathways.

Additional Information

Why Eating Disorder Awareness Matters in Primary Care

Primary care clinicians are often among the first healthcare professionals to recognise that a patient may have an eating disorder. However, eating disorders do not always present in obvious ways. Patients may attend with physical symptoms, mental health concerns or seemingly unrelated health issues, making early recognition both challenging and important.

Eating Disorder Awareness Training helps clinicians develop greater confidence in recognising possible indicators, understanding the wider impact of eating disorders and considering appropriate next steps within their professional role. The course is designed to support earlier recognition while reinforcing the importance of compassionate, person-centred care.

Recognise the Signs of Eating Disorders

Delegates explore the physical, psychological and behavioural features that may suggest an eating disorder, recognising that these conditions can affect people of any age, gender, ethnicity or body size. The programme challenges common misconceptions and encourages clinicians to look beyond appearance alone when considering whether further assessment may be appropriate.

Through realistic primary care examples, participants consider how eating disorders may present during everyday consultations and how subtle concerns can sometimes indicate a more significant underlying condition.

Discuss Concerns with Confidence

Starting a conversation about a possible eating disorder can feel difficult for both the clinician and the patient. This course explores practical approaches to opening sensitive discussions, using language that reduces shame and stigma while encouraging honest, supportive dialogue.

Delegates consider how to respond with empathy, explore concerns appropriately and build trust during conversations that may be emotionally challenging for patients and their families.

Support Patients Towards Appropriate Care

Recognising a possible eating disorder is only the first step. The course explores appropriate assessment, clinical reasoning, triage, referral and safety-netting within the scope of the clinician’s professional role and local pathways.

Participants also discuss when concerns may require more urgent escalation, the importance of accurate documentation and safeguarding considerations where appropriate. Throughout the programme, the emphasis remains on supporting patients safely while working within professional boundaries and current best practice.

Designed for Everyday Primary Care Practice

Unlike generic awareness programmes, this course has been developed specifically for clinicians working in NHS primary care. Learning is centred around realistic consultations, practical discussion and the everyday situations that practice nurses and other clinicians are likely to encounter.

Delegates leave with greater confidence to recognise possible eating disorders, discuss concerns sensitively and support patients towards appropriate assessment and care within their own clinical setting.

Supporting Wider Clinical Learning

Eating disorders often sit alongside wider physical and mental health needs. Organisations wishing to strengthen clinical confidence across primary care may also be interested in our Mental Health & Patient Distress Training and Clinical Skills & Patient Care Training pathways.

For further evidence-based guidance, delegates are encouraged to refer to the NICE guideline on Eating Disorders: Recognition and Treatment and the Beat Eating Disorders professional resources.

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