Development and baseline findings of a national dataset describing Australian private practice dietetics

This study aimed to establish the processes for a national dataset describing Australian private practice dietetics and to report baseline workforce data.

A cross-sectional survey captured workforce and business data for dietitians working in private practice dietetics in Australia. Business owners from a national register were invited to complete the survey and to share the survey with employed or contracted dietitians between May and June 2024. Data were analysed descriptively.

Seven hundred and three business owners were invited to participate, and 176 participants completed the workforce items (25% response rate). Participants were primarily female (n = 158; 90%) business owners (n = 161; 91%), mean ± SD age of 42 ± 9 years and mean time since graduation of 15 ± 9 years. Mean time spent per week working in private practice was 26 ± 15 hours. Most participants were satisfied with their work in private practice (n = 160, 91%) and anticipated working in private practice in 5 years' time (n = 155, 88%), though some (n = 62, 35%) felt some degree of unwellness due to stress. Business owners were generally dissatisfied with the applications received for advertised dietetics roles. One hundred twenty-one participants consented to follow-up in 2 years as part of the ongoing survey.

A national dataset describing the dietetics workforce, supported by ongoing data capture, is essential to support workforce planning and ensure that private practice is a legitimate and sustainable career path, thereby future-proofing this segment of the workforce and ensuring access to high-quality preventative and primary dietetics care.