Access to dietitians in primary health care

Primary health care aims to provide timely treatment of serious illness, teach health promotion, and maintain health for patients with chronic diseases. In partnership with the primary care network at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), family physicians (FPs), and dietitians, this practice needs assessment was undertaken to explore how VCH could support access to primary care nutrition services. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Data from two focus groups, one for dietitians and the other for physicians, were compiled and formed the questions for the survey. The data were analyzed using the inductive approach, to consider the messages or themes that appeared from the focus groups and the survey. A review of information from the focus groups, surveys, and literature revealed four common themes of findings: accessibility, collaboration in chronic disease management, health promotion, and information sharing. Sixty-six percent of FPs perceived that primary health nutrition services were fair to poor. Both dietitian and physician groups recognized that collaboration in the areas of chronic diseases and health promotion was essential, and that sharing of information among providers could improve this service.