Framework for analyzing supply and demand for specialist and advanced practice registered dietitians

The number of credentialed dietetics specialists--approximately 15% of the profession--is proportionately higher than those in other allied health and nursing professions. Credentialed specialists seem to receive greater compensation earlier in their career, but this advantage neutralizes as length of time in the profession increases. A larger proportion of younger registered dietitians (RDs) are specialists, which may mean an increase in supply of specialists in the future. There is considerable interest in creation of health promotion and foodservice management credentials. Consideration should be given to collaborating with other organizations to explore new models of recognition or credentialing for narrow areas of focus. Creating a methodology that can differentiate the tasks and approaches to practice that are unique to advanced practitioners compared with specialists has been a challenge. Prior research has not succeeded in identifying the differences in what advanced practitioners do. Future research to isolate advanced practice must take practice approach into account. A new, research-based, credential for advanced practitioners is possible, or a recognition program for advanced practice RDs could be considered. Precise supply and demand for specialty and advanced practice RDs cannot be measured. Thus, in this technical article, the authors share the available information regarding supply and demand with regard to dietetics specialists and advanced practitioners. It seems there are distinctions among the various levels of practice and recognition of their value to the profession and to the health of the public.