Communication between family physicians and registered dietitians in the outpatient setting

To elicit how registered dietitians and family physicians communicate in the outpatient setting.

A descriptive pilot study using two mailed surveys was conducted to elicit aspects of outpatient communication between registered dietitians and family physicians. A sample of nutrition correspondence from registered dietitians to family physicians was also requested.

Surveys were distributed to 504 licensed dietitians and 626 family physicians.

Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey results.

Responses were received from 389 registered dietitians (77% return rate) and 235 family physicians (37.5% return rate). We received 104 sample notes of correspondence with physicians from dietitians. Among dietitians, 80% reported that they always assess a patient's lifestyle and educational level before choosing an educational approach, and 69% send the nutrition treatment plan to the referring family physician. Among family physicians, 49% often or always find the communications they receive from registered dietitians to be helpful. However, 41% of family physicians reported that they rarely receive detailed nutrition assessments or recommendations about the referred patient from the dietitian, and 54% of all family physicians surveyed often think that this lack of feedback compromises patient care.

Dietitians can improve communications with family physicians by standardizing the format and focus of nutrition correspondence and assuring that the referring family physician receives the patient's nutrition care plan. These simple changes would close a very important communication loop, forge stronger partnerships between dietitians and family physicians, and potentially improve patient outcomes.