Entry-level clinical dietetic practice as viewed by clients and allied professionals. A pilot study

This study was carried out to ascertain whether nutritional care clients and the professionals who serve them hold similar views related to clinical activities performed by entry-level clinical dietitians. Questionnaires were sent to clinical dietitians, their clients, educators, and employers. Clients were asked to state how dietitians had helped them. Dietitians, educators, and employers were asked to rate client-identified activities and other selected activities of dietitians according to their importance to the delivery of nutritional care. Dietitians were also asked to rate these same activities according to the relative time spent in performing them. There was significant agreement among all participating groups on the relative importance attached to client-identified activities, and also among dietitians, educators, and employers as to the relative importance attached to all activities under investigation. The data also imply that the importance dietitians place on an activity will affect the time spent in that activity. It is hoped that this study can be replicated periodically, to provide a dynamic research base for the development of educational objectives based on changing performance requirements which reflect changing client needs.