Continuing education needs as perceived by dietetic practitioners

Educational needs of dietitians were identified by 232 practitioners in Ohio by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Three major knowledge areas--managerial science, nutritional care science, and behavioral, communicative, and socio-cultural science--were covered in 109 questions. The respondents perceived a need for more professional knowledge than for behavioral, communicative, and socio-cultural sciences. Greater need was expressed for skills in technical and human ability than for skills in conceptual ability, and generally for nutritional knowledge rather than application. The findings could form the basis for continuing education programs.