Binghamton University offers eating disorder evaluation services to help determine the appropriate referrals for treatment. This is an evaluation only, and does not constitute ongoing treatment due to the limitations of our treatment setting. On-campus-level services are those that would be determined to be an “outpatient” and recovery level of care; if a higher level of care is needed than we can offer, we will connect you with treatment coordinators to help you find options off campus using your insurance coverage if available.
Making new appointments
In order to schedule an initial appointment, a patient must first complete our initial appointment request form. This can be done in three ways:
- Complete the Eating Disorder Evaluation form and upload it to the patient portal using the folder “Mental Health Forms”.
- Send a message requesting the Eating Disorder Evaluation form to PSYCHMSG in the patient portal.
- Call 607-777-3711 if you are unable to access the health portal.
Once you have completed the request form, our providers will respond to you in the patient portal with requests for any additional information/forms we will need for the evaluation process. Once we have everything we need, you will be directed to call to schedule the appointment. We will not schedule any appointment by phone until the information requested is received.
Initial appointment expectations
Initial visits are IN PERSON ONLY. The process starts with an appointment with a nurse in the health services building to get an accurate measure of weight, height and different types of blood pressure. This is done through a "blind and gowned" weight (meaning in a medical gown and without having the patient observe the weight). Then, blood pressure is taken in various positions.
The patient will also see forms for completion in the patient portal that assess knowledge of the health effects of eating disorders and a brief severity screening tool. That information will be sent to psychiatry staff for review. Staff will reach out to schedule a screening review and education session and help the patient look at options.
These appointments are not considered a start of treatment but staff will look at options to link the patient to treatment. This is a great first step to learn more about the health impacts of eating concerns.
To get scheduled for an initial nursing appointment, please complete the Eating Disorder Evaluation form or send a message at PSYCHMSG in the patient portal with the request.
Follow-up appointment
There will be one follow-up appointment after the patient has completed the nurse visit where psychiatry staff will review the results of the patient's vitals screening, the screening forms filled out online indicating severity of symptoms and discuss options for treatment referrals. This appointment is also not considered the start of treatment but we will look at options to link the patient to treatment.
Options presented include:
- Aid in communication with primary care providers, off campus mental health providers and/or others the patient wants involved in the treatment
- Possible link with a nutrition consult on campus
- Possible link with treatment coordination services to find options for specialty programs off campus and online
- Decker Student Health Services Center can liaison with the patient's primary care provider in order for them to continue to treat and monitor the eating disorder
To reschedule an appointment, send a message on the patient portal to PSYCHMSG or call 607-777-3711.
