On January 8, 2013, I was appointed professor of eating disorders at the department of psychiatry of Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Since 1992 I have been employed as director at Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula, a center of excellence for eating disorders in Leiden. My ancillary activities include membership of various editorial boards, chair of the Dutch Academy for Eating Disorders and chair of the board of trustees of Karakter, child and adolescent psychiatry.

More information about Eric van Furth

On January 8, 2013, I was appointed professor of eating disorders at the department of psychiatry of Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Since 1992 I have been employed as director at Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula, a center of excellence for eating disorders in Leiden. 
My ancillary activities include membership of various editorial boards, chair of the Dutch Academy for Eating Disorders and chair of the board of trustees of Karakter, child and adolescent psychiatry.

Eating disorders

The main aim of our research endeavors is to increase the number of individuals with a lasting recovery. This aim has provided the focus to develop, adapt and evaluate interventions with an added benefit to the current state-of-the-art treatment. In this way, we aim to contribute to sustainable health care. 
Our research and clinical work encompass the full range of eating disorder severity: from eating problems of people in the community to the most severely ill and complex patients (last resort function). For those on the mild end of the spectrum, early detection and intervention are paramount. Early detection and early intervention saves the patients and their loved ones hardship and saves resources on a societal level. E-communities and e-mental health can play an important role by providing evidence-based information and interventions to help individuals recover or provide a fast track to fitting care (matched care). There is a dire need for innovation and scientific evaluation of e-mental health interventions (effectiveness and cost-effectiveness).
Our research aims to provide evidence based interventions that increase the chance of a lasting recovery for those with long standing eating disorders. Personalized care is provided in order to help minimize the burden of disease.

Academic career

After completing my PhD at Utrecht University, department of child and adolescent psychiatry and faculty of social sciences, department of clinical psychology (title: Parental Expressed Emotion and Eating Disorders) in 1991, I started a small eating disorder lab at the Robert-Fleury Stichting (now GGZ Rivierduinen). Between 1998 and 2002 I had a part-time position as honorary senior research fellow at the Department of Psychiatry, St. George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London. Following my appointment as professor at the Leiden University Medical Center I held my public acceptance speech on November 1, 2013 (titel: Eating disorders in context).

Prizes and honourable appointments

2015 Academy for Eating Disorders Leadership Award for Clinical, Administrative or Educational Service.
2014 Project HEAL Clinician Of The Year.
2011 Niek de Jongprijs (€ 10.000), health insurers prize for Proud2Bme.nl.

Publications