|
Most commented
Pay high-performing GPs more, says former health boss – bit. ly / 2qKIyBr
Non-citizen doctor sacked from govt job – bit. ly / 2paTwjr
Generics to become default as government tinkers with practice software – bit. ly / 2pf9FUQ
Medical Must-See
A serious case of the hiccups bit. ly / 2pMfo5H
|
BRETT EVANS FEDERAL Minister for Health Greg Hunt is pushing for changes to Medicare items for eating disorders in response to concerns about high suicide rates.
In a letter to the Medicare Review Taskforce, the minister urged them to look at whether the current MBS model was failing to provide access to treatment for people with eating disorders.
“ In particular, I would like the taskforce to look at options to better align the MBS with national standards for safe integrated treatment for eating disorders that address all aspects of the illness, including physical, psychological, behavioural, nutritional, occupational and social needs,” he wrote.
The minister was responding to the Butterfly Foundation for Eating Disorders, which released findings
|
‘ With a disease like anorexia nervosa, you probably need one session of psychological therapy a week,’ says Professor Hay.
from a meta-analysis last week showing that suicide is up to 31 times more likely for people with an eating disorder.
According to the Butterfly Foundation, the minister also committed to making eating disorders core business
for primary health networks and to including workforce training and service development for the condition as part of the Fifth National Mental Health Plan.
The foundation said that, under the Medicare system,
|
patients were unable to access early treatment.
Medicare presently covers 10 sessions of psychological therapy. Clinicians specialising in eating disorders told Australian Doctor that this was inadequate.
“ With a disease like anorexia nervosa, you probably need one session a week, and you might need that for a year”, said psychologist Professor Phillipa Hay from Western Sydney University.
“ And for bulimia nervosa, and other forms of eating disorders, they often do need more than the 10 sessions”.
“ There is a lot of stigma associated with eating disorders.
“ It is perceived as a selfinflicted problem, and unfortunately, doctors aren’ t immune from the general community’ s beliefs and attitudes,” Professor Hay added.
|