MONTREAL – The CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation announced last week the launch of an new intensive ambulatory care pilot program for patients being treated for an eating disorder (ED) that also incorporates an innovative remote support component.
Enabled by a $300,000 donation from Bell Let’s Talk, this new initiative will help young people and their families in their home environments, wherever they may live in Québec, says the press release.
“We’re seeing the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on teenagers up close – CHU Sainte-Justine receives 40% of eating disorder hospitalizations and often the most complex cases,” said Dr. Danielle Taddeo, a pediatrician specializing in teenager medicine at CHU Sainte-Justine, and co-director of the Integrated Centre for Eating Disorders. “Our ambition is to intervene early with the largest number of patients to prevent the progression of the disease, reduce its duration and improve the prognosis. Keeping these teenagers with their families and in their communities, while still making sure they receive care, is a tried-and-true strategy that is at the core of this new initiative.”
“The prevalence of eating disorders has grown sharply in recent years, particularly among children under the age of 12. Covid-19 has only accelerated this trend with the number of cases in Québec doubling since March 2020. The donation from Bell Let’s Talk will not only help the program adapt to the Covid context, it will permanently increase access to Sainte-Justine’s expertise for patients living outside of Montréal, who represent 75% of its clientele,” reads the release.
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