eating disorder interview questions

Eating Disorders: Screening and Assessment

Interviews for Top Jobs at National Eating Disorders Association

Volunteer Interview

Helpline Supervisor Interview

If the facility you’re interviewing for has a diverse patient population, employers may ask this question to make sure you have experience working with patients who speak different languages. In your answer, share an example of how you used translation services or other methods to communicate with patients who don’t speak English.

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you’re up-to-date on the latest nutritional guidelines for weight loss. This is because eating disorder dietitians must be able to provide their clients with current information about nutrition and healthy eating habits. In your answer, try to mention a few of the most important guidelines that you know about.

Example: “I worked at a hospital that had a large Spanish-speaking population. I took two semesters of Spanish in college and can understand some basic phrases, so I was able to communicate with many of my patients. However, I also learned enough Spanish to be able to explain certain medical terms to my patients in their native language. This helped them feel more comfortable during treatment.”

Example: “The first factor I consider when creating a meal plan for weight loss is calorie intake. The client’s daily caloric needs should be within a reasonable range so that they can achieve their weight-loss goals without feeling overly hungry or deprived. Next, I consider macronutrient ratios, such as protein, fat and carbohydrate percentages. These are essential for overall health and wellness, and I make sure my meal plans meet the recommended guidelines.”

Example: “I’ve worked as an eating disorder dietitian for five years now, so I’m very familiar with the symptoms of different types of eating disorders and how to treat them. In my previous position, I helped develop treatment plans for patients with bulimia, anorexia and other conditions. I also completed additional training on treating eating disorders, which has given me more confidence when working with these patients.”

American Psychiatric Association: Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-5.Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013

Hay P, Chinn D, Forbes D, et al, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of eating disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2014; 48: 977–1008.

One hundred twenty-nine students were recruited from the University of London between February and April 2001. None was excluded. One hundred four attendees at a large primary care practice in North London were recruited consecutively between April and May 2001. Eight were excluded: 2 patients were in remission from cancer, 2 had Crohns disease, 3 were aged under 18 years and 1 was older than 65. The demographic information for each group and for the combined groups, and the distribution of the eating disorders identified using the Q-EDD reference standard can be found in .

Positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative (LR−) likelihood ratios for the individual ESP and SCOFF questions are shown for the questions best able to diagnose or exclude an eating disorder. The best individual questions for ruling in an eating disorder were found to be:

Participants first completed the self-administered Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD), which was immediately placed in an opaque closed box. This was used as the reference standard, because it has been shown to be both valid and reliable in operationalizing The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria into a self-report format.14 Compared to the use of DSM-IV criteria in an interview format, the Q-EDD has been shown to have a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 98%.14

Current screening instruments for eating disorders are cumbersome to administer and have not been validated in primary care populations. We compared the performance characteristics of 2 screening tools, the SCOFF clinical prediction guide, and a new set of questions, the Eating disorder Screen for Primary care (ESP), using the Questionnaire for Eating Disorders Diagnosis as the independent standard, in 104 consecutive patients from a primary care practice and 129 university students. Twelve percent of the combined population had an eating disorder. One or no abnormal responses to the ESP ruled out an eating disorder (likelihood ratio [LR] 0.0), whereas 3 or more abnormal responses ruled one in (LR 11). The SCOFF questions were less sensitive than predicted (1 or no abnormal responses, LR 0.25), but were as effective at ruling in an eating disorder (3 or more abnormal responses, LR 11).

Primary care patients are often not diagnosed with eating disorders,1,2 possibly because they present with apparently unrelated physical3 and psychiatric complaints.4 A missed diagnosis can have serious implications; for example, late presentation in bulimia nervosa has been associated with a worse outcome.5

FAQ

What are three things you would ask someone who has an eating disorder?

What personality traits do people with eating disorders have?

• Frequent dieting, anxiety associated with specific foods or meal skipping.
• Chronic weight fluctuations.
• Rigid rituals and routines surrounding food and exercise.
• Feelings of guilt and shame associated with eating.

How do you start a conversation with an eating disorder?