Research activities and interests of dietitians

A survey was conducted to ascertain research involvement and interests of dietitians. The survey questionnaire was developed and mailed to 1200 dietitian members of The American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.). Usable responses numbered 424 (35.3%); 84% were A.S.P.E.N. members 5 years or less. Currently 46% and previously 17% of respondents served on nutrition support (NS) teams. Two-thirds of the group either completed or were enrolled in a graduate program. Only one-half of the respondents had statistics and/or research methodology courses. Half the group spent no time in research, 10% gave 10-50 hr/week and nearly 80% wanted to spend more time in this activity. One-fifth were principal investigators (PI), 27% were co-investigators and 29% had collected data for others. Although 16% wrote proposals, fewer than 10% had projects approved and/or funded; co-investigators were more successful than PIs in this regard. Several (22.2%) presented research papers or posters and 36% gave seminars, case studies, or short presentations. One-fifth (20.8%) published research articles and 20.3% published other works. More than 80% expressed interest in collaborative research, perhaps because many felt they lacked skills needed to develop research designs, write proposals, analyze data, obtain funding, and get published. Most said research was not rewarded, of a low priority, and generally ignored by the dietetics department; 60.5% had great interest in research and 37.1% had adequate research opportunities. No significant differences were observed for those with graduate degrees or for members of NS teams but A.S.P.E.N. dietitians appeared to be more active in research than other dietitians.