Usage of Telehealth and Telenutrition Services by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists: Cross-Sectional Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted telehealth adoption among clinical nutritionists globally. However, there is a research gap in Saudi Arabia concerning telehealth's prevalence and effectiveness in dietetics practice.

This study aims to evaluate telehealth implementation during the pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

In this cross-sectional study, a web-based survey was used and distributed in several Saudi Arabian regions between December 2022 and May 2023. A convenience sample of 306 clinical registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in public and private health care facilities who met the study's inclusion criteria was included in this study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 56% (172/306) of RDNs used telehealth, showing significant differences in sociodemographics and telehealth knowledge at health care facilities (P=.04). Notable gender disparities were observed in years of experience, with 78% (61/78) of male dietitians working in public hospitals (P=.001 and P<.004). The main telehealth nutrition services provided included nutrition education (21%, 64/306), nutrition counseling (19%, 58/306), and nutrition monitoring (17%, 52/306). Telenutrition purposes primarily focused on nutrition education (21%), supporting weight and diet management (17.15%, 15%), and the management of chronic disease (14%, 43,306). Additionally, a smaller percentage of RDNs (8%-9%) used telehealth for the nutrition care process and health assessment, while no respondents reported using telehealth for sport nutrition services. Overall, 90% (275/306) of RDNs reported that they routinely incorporated telehealth into their practice. Common obstacles reported by RDNs using telehealth were internet connectivity issues (46%), difficulties in coordinating with patients (22%), and patient disengagement with a lack of motivation (13%).

Our findings underscore the increasing adoption of telehealth by RDNs during the pandemic, highlighting its crucial role in nutrition services. The study suggests that technology enhancements and training initiatives can improve telehealth effectiveness, highlighting the need for further research in this dynamic field.