Evidence-based implementation practices applied to the intensive treatment of eating disorders: summary of research and illustration of principles using a case example
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Implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in intensive treatment settings poses a major challenge in the field of psychology. This is particularly true for eating disorder (ED) treatment, where multidisciplinary care is provided to a severe and complex patient population; almost no data exist concerning best practices in these settings. We summarize the research on EBP implementation science organized by existing frameworks and illustrate how these practices may be applied using a case example. We describe the recent successful implementation of EBPs in a community-based intensive ED treatment network, which recently adapted and implemented transdiagnostic, empirically supported treatment for emotional disorders across its system of residential and day-hospital programs. The research summary, implementation frameworks, and case example may inform future efforts to implement evidence-based practice in intensive treatment settings.
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The Renfrew Unified Treatment for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity (UT) is a manualized, transdiagnostic, emotion-focused treatment adapted for residential group treatment of eating disorders and comorbidity.
“The Renfrew Unified Treatment for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity (UT) is a transdiagnostic, emotion-focused treatment adapted for use in residential group treatment.”
From The Renfrew Unified Treatment for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity: Long-Term Effects of an Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in Residential Treatment (2021) · cites this paper as [20]
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“The multi-modal, evidence-based residential treatment, adapted from the Unified Protocol developed by Barlow and colleagues (18), is now known as the Renfrew Unified Treatment for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity (19, 20), or Unified Treatment (UT).”
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- Authors
- Thompson-Brenner, H., Brooks, G. E., Boswell, J. F., Espel-Huynh, H., Dore, R., Franklin, D. R., Gonçalves, A., Smith, M., Ortiz, S., Ice, S., Barlow, D. H., & Lowe, M. R.
- Affiliations
- Boston University; Boston MA USA
- The Renfrew Centers; Coconut Creek; FL USA
- University at Albany, State University of New York (US)
- Drexel University; Philadelphia PA USA
- The Renfrew Centers; Philadelphia PA USA
- Boston University (US)
- Drexel University (US)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice
- Published
- 2018-01-22
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e12221
- ISSN
- 0969-5893 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2792590297
- Cited by
- 35
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 8.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Clinical Psychology Science and Practice (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- OpenBU (Boston University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Sciences Research and Education
- Keywords
- evidence-based practice implementation, eating disorders, intensive treatment, multidisciplinary care, implementation framework, transdiagnostic treatment, emotional disorders, residential treatment
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