Developing a dietetic advanced practice role within a neuro-rehabilitation service

Area of Science:

• Allied Health Professions
• Neuro-rehabilitation
• Advanced Practice Roles

Background:

• Advanced practice is expanding beyond nursing to other health professions like dietetics.
• Dietitians gained non-medical prescribing rights in 2016, supporting advanced roles.
• Effective teamwork is crucial for efficient and effective neuro-rehabilitation patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a dietitian advanced practice role within a neuro-rehabilitation service.
• To analyze the need for this role using literature review and gap analysis.
• To evidence the impact of the role through a patient case study.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on advanced practice and dietetic advanced practice.
• Gap analysis to identify the need for the role in neuro-rehabilitation.
• Patient case study to evaluate the impact of the advanced practice dietitian.

Main Results:

• Implementing an advanced practice dietitian role enhances interdisciplinary team benefits, including capacity, productivity, and efficiency.
• The role improved patient access and continuity of care within neuro-rehabilitation.
• Positive patient outcomes and increased clinician satisfaction were observed.

Conclusions:

• Advanced practice dietitians, particularly those with non-medical prescribing rights, can enhance patient care for long-term conditions.
• Further research is needed to confirm the benefits of dietetic advanced practice across diverse patient groups and healthcare systems.