November 09, 2014
Lisa DiFronzo, MS-NP, NP-PHC
My role as a nurse practitioner in an outpatient eating disorder clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton:
I work collaboratively as a member of an Outpatient Eating Disorder team in a multi-disciplinary setting, consisting of psychologists, dieticians, and a psychiatrist. I provide ongoing primary care services to clients 16 years old or older with eating disorders including binge eating disorder. I provide a medical assessment to all clients enrolled in our clinic. The medical assessment portion includes: a medical history, medication review, lab review from referral, review of their past and current eating disorder symptoms, a review of systems and physical assessment. I will also collaborate with the team and provide feedback regarding the appropriateness of the client receiving treatment in an outpatient level of care setting from a medical standpoint, as these are some of the most complicated illnesses as they involve both complex medical and psychiatric issues. I continue to follow the clients in providing medical monitoring while they are in treatment. During my initial assessment and in subsequent follow up appointments, I review the client’s physical symptoms, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose, prescribe medications, provide education and teaching about complications of eating disorders, as well as therapeutic interventions, and apply cognitive behavioural therapy principles. Also focusing on health promotion and maximizing clients’ safety and function during their participation in program services.
I actively participate in regular weekly team meetings and in discharge decisions, liaising with community based and hospital providers, advocating on behalf of clients and their families and participating in inter-professional patient and family conferences as needed. Other opportunities I am involved in are around program development and research.
I liaise with the clients’ family physician and with other eating disorder treatment programs and will consult or refer to other health care professionals and specialists to ensure the client receives the appropriate medical care. I also will refer and work closely with more intensive adult day treatment or residential programs for my clients. I continue to act as a resource to clients in relation to physical health and provide education focused on the improvement of overall health and the promotion of a healthy balanced lifestyle with clients as they are on their journey to recovery.
Having the opportunity to empower patients and advocating for them to receive the best possible care and being able to have a positive impact on a client’s health and health outcome and overall well-being is fulfilling both personally and professionally. Overall, I feel very privileged to work with my population, as they are a special group, and while their recovery encompasses all the reasons why I chose my profession.
As well, I am currently working towards receiving my cross-appointment with the School of Nursing at McMaster University. I’m co-tutoring a Level 4 BScN student who is completing her clinical placement at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. I am also working towards mentoring newly hired nurse practitioners in my organization and to provide the role as a preceptor to nurse practitioner students.
