A framework for eHealth readiness of dietitians

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Informatics
• Digital Health Assessment
• Health Professional Readiness

Background:

• eHealth integration in dietetics is growing.
• A standardized method for assessing dietitian eHealth readiness is lacking.
• Existing frameworks may not fully capture dietitian-specific needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive framework for assessing the eHealth readiness of dietitians.
• To create a tool to guide the evaluation and enhancement of digital health competencies in dietetics.
• To establish a foundation for improving eHealth adoption and practice among nutrition professionals.

Main Methods:

• An inductive research approach was employed in three stages.
• Systematic literature review to identify existing eHealth readiness models.
• Data synthesis and semi-structured interviews with nutrition informatics experts for framework validation.

Main Results:

• Twenty-four relevant citations were synthesized from 241 unique sources.
• Five key dimensions of eHealth readiness for dietitians were identified: access, standards, attitude, aptitude, and advocacy.
• The Framework for eHealth Readiness of Dietitians (FeRD) was developed and validated through expert consensus.

Conclusions:

• The FeRD provides a structured approach to evaluate dietitian eHealth readiness.
• This framework can inform the development of targeted training and support strategies.
• FeRD aims to enhance the preparedness of dietitians for evolving digital health landscapes.