Trying out the competency profile for entry-level nutrition/dietetics practice

The Ontario Regional Dietetic Internship Committee sponsored a workshop on "The Competency Based Profile", for Internship Directors and other dietitians involved with interns. The objectives of the workshop were: 1. to define the effects of implementation of some aspects of the competency profile into existing internship programs, 2. to exchange ideas regarding implementation, and 3. to give Internship Directors a further insight into the pros and cons of competency based education. Nine internship programs implemented some aspects of the profile. From one to seven dietetic interns and one to eleven dietitians were involved per program. Their findings were that the profile took on the average more time to complete than the regular CDA Dietetic Interns' Evaluation Forms. The profile could not be used as the sole evaluation tool. It was however an effective diagnostic tool. The rating scale is not well worded nor is its numerical system an effective way to evaluate dietetic interns. The competency profile is not suitable for all types of internship programs. Specialized internships have to expand on the profile to meet their own needs.