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ECRI's Bulimia Nervosa Web Site Sets New Standard for Patient-Driven Information
(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Feb 27, 2006 (U.S. Newswire via COMTEX) --A new standard has been set for the way patient and consumer healthcare information is created with the launch of ECRI's new Web site, http://www.bulimiaguide.org .
This site provides a comprehensive, evidence-based resource for all those affected by bulimia nervosa-a complex mental health disorder with serious medical consequences for the patient and a significant impact on the families and friends of these patients. The site's content was created by ECRI, a nonprofit health services research agency, in direct response to more than 150 questions posed by a panel of patients and families affected by the disorder and healthcare professionals treating bulimia nervosa.
"This outstanding Web site provides a wealth of information to patients with bulimia nervosa and their families. It is often difficult to understand the symptoms of an eating disorder, and many people do not recognize how dangerous bulimia can be. The Web site outlines what is known about the causes of bulimia nervosa, describes the physiological complications that can occur, and provides a detailed evaluation of the treatments that have been found to be useful," states Pauline Powers, M.D., president of the National Eating Disorders Association and Director, Psychosomatic Medicine Division, and professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of South Florida. "The sections about accessing appropriate treatment and insurance policy/benefits were extremely informative and useful," says Powers, a member of ECRI's bulimia advisory panel.
The Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide Web site provides in-depth information about the disorder, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options and costs, how family and friends can be most supportive to the patient, and much more. This is the only Web site that compares the effectiveness of treatments for bulimia nervosa based on the results of an in-depth scientific analysis of all the available clinical research on treatments.
"This is an amazing resource," says Ivy Silver, parent of a bulimic child and founder of A Chance to Heal Foundation, which offers financial support to patients who cannot afford to pay for bulimia nervosa treatment.
The site contains a number of useful resources, including a printable 75-page version of Bulimia Nervosa: Resource Guide for Family and Friends and a 12-page summary of the guide. The comprehensive evidence report Efficacy of Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa provides the methods and results of ECRI's extensive meta-analyses on psychotherapy, prescription drug therapy, and other therapies for the condition. Also highly beneficial are an informative searchable directory of residential facilities that treat bulimia nervosa, a list of ongoing clinical trials, a review of 48 state mental health parity laws and mandates, a catalog of current health insurance coverage policies for bulimia nervosa, and links to other relevant resources.
Another member of ECRI's bulimia advisory committee, Richard G. Roberts, M.D., J.D., past board chair, American Academy of Family Physicians, and Professor, Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, describes the resource as, "Wonderfully done-an extraordinary compendium of information and resources." Marti Noller, insurance analyst, Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, proclaims, "This guide is a real treasure of information, and it has been needed by the public for a long time. This will give families a valuable resource in their attempt to provide necessary care for a family member."
"From the outset, the research for this resource, including the evidence-based systematic review of clinical studies, was guided by families and patients with concerns about bulimia nervosa. The intent is to equip patients and consumers with objective, science-based information and tools to inform their decisions and provide guidance for the recovery process," says Diane Robertson, Director of ECRI's Health Technology Assessment Information Service and Bulimia Nervosa Project.
Jeffrey C. Lerner, Ph.D., president and CEO, ECRI, explains, "Most patient information is created from the top down. Scientific or medical reports are put into lay language and called 'patient information' without ever really asking patients and families what their questions are. We built this resource from the bottom up."
ECRI's new approach is unique. Work on the bulimia nervosa resource guide started two years ago with the creation of an advisory and review panel comprising patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, all of whom contributed questions about diagnosis, treatment, access to care, insurance, and other issues. Their questions directed the research that ECRI undertook to answer them. At every step in the process, panel members offered insights into how to present the results of the research in a meaningful way for patients and families. The result is what ECRI terms patient-driven "evidence-based" healthcare information.
ECRI ( http://www.ecri.org ), an independent, nonprofit agency and Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization, created the resource under a grant from the Hilda and Preston Davis Foundation. The resource guide is part of ECRI's plan for a National Patient Library(tm) of evidence-based patient information. ECRI has nearly 40 years of experience providing information and technical assistance to the healthcare community to support safe and cost-effective patient care.
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For more information about ECRI or the Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide Web site ( http://www.bulimiaguide.org ), visit http://www.ecri.org or contact ECRI by mail at 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1298, USA; by telephone at 610-825-6000, ext. 5310; by fax at 610-834-1275; or by e-mail at communications(At)ecri.org .
http://www.usnewswire.com
Laurie D. Menyo, 610-825-6000, ext. 5310
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