Dietetic students' experiences providing meal assistance in long-term care facilities

This qualitative study involved describing the experiences of dietetic students who provided meal help to older adults. Of interest were benefits and challenges, and how training could be enhanced.

Individual, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine undergraduate dietetic students. In the preceding year, these students had volunteered as meal helpers in a long-term care home. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcripts.

All participating students were female and from one undergraduate program. Three main themes emerged: growing into the role, learning outside the classroom, and providing quality assistance.

This study provides an understanding of how meal helping can be a valuable experience for emerging dietitians. It also gives insights into training and the development of the meal helper role.