Eating Disorders and the RD


13 Because the role of the RD in the treatment of eating


disorders may be interpreted differently by your super- visor, other professionals you work with, and even other RDs, you may at times experience concern that you are stepping outside of the RD’s appropriate scope of prac- tice. Alternatively, you may think that your official job responsibilities are too limiting. In these situations, consult a supervisor, mentor, colleague, or other adviser. The per- son who hired you may not necessarily be familiar with the role of the RD, or the part the RD plays on the eating disor- ders treatment team. With patience, you can help educate yourself and those you work with about your role.


ARE YOU READY?


Every RD has something to offer to a patient with an eating disorder. The primary requirement is an interest in the field and willingness to learn. Even your nonjudg- mental response to a patient’s description of eating disor- der behaviors can be in its own small way a meaningful intervention (32). At the same time, eating disorders care is a specialty area that requires additional training (such as continuing education and on-the-job training) beyond what is provided in school and traditional dietetics train- ing programs (17). If you find yourself doubting your abilities or “taking


your work home with you,” know that these are common reactions to working with individuals with eating disor- ders, not signs that you are inadequate. Even the most experienced clinicians recognize that working with indi- viduals in various stages of illness and recovery from eat- ing disorders offers daily challenges that are not related to “knowing enough” or “doing enough.” The fact that you are reading this book shows that you are attempting


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