High turnover in clinical dietetics: a qualitative analysis.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Nutrition
• Human Resources in Healthcare

Background:

• Interprofessional collaboration in healthcare is crucial for optimal patient care.
• Frequent dietitian turnover poses a significant concern, potentially reducing referrals and provider continuity.
• Characteristics of clinical dietitian roles contributing to high turnover remain largely unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify characteristics of clinical dietitian jobs associated with high turnover.
• To explore the consequences of high dietitian turnover on patients and managers.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten managers of clinical dietitians in the Canadian public healthcare system.
• A constant comparative approach to thematic analysis was employed.
• Turnover themes were categorized as avoidable or unavoidable.

Main Results:

• Avoidable turnover factors include lack of manager support, limited growth, burnout, workload, conflict, and work hours.
• Unavoidable turnover factors include life-stage events and geography.
• Turnover consequences encompass increased burnout, negative patient impact, conflict, costs, and service gaps; dietitian prestige was also implicated.

Conclusions:

• Managers identified numerous factors contributing to high dietitian turnover in public healthcare settings.
• Further research using objective turnover measures and multi-method analysis is recommended.
• Understanding these factors is vital for improving dietitian retention and patient care.