but another phenomenon has added to the burden. eating-disorder patients have exploded in number, with some still being stabilized at community hospitals, some treated at sickkids.
at southlake, for instance, the usual two patients has jumped to a half-dozen, and more are expected. and with physical, social and psychological needs, they tend to stay in hospital for weeks or even months at a time, said van schaik.
many of the recent influx of eating-disorder patients are actually high-achieving students and talented athletes, she noted.
“when a lot of this was taken away from them, especially their extra-curricular involvement … they refocused their energy somewhere else, and the focus has come here,” said van schaik.
“it’s really very curious,” she added. “i don’t think a lot of us would have anticipated this being a side effect of the pandemic.”
all the hospitals stress that their emergency departments remain open to children. and as dramatic as closing the pediatric units might seem, the alternative for covid-strained hospitals was worse — “extreme” measures like putting patients in tents or using staff without the appropriate training, said orkin.