A survey of management tasks completed by clinical dietitians in the practice setting

To investigate clinical dietitians' involvement in completing management tasks in a practice setting.

A random sample of 1,599 self-designated clinical dietitians was selected to receive the survey. The survey instrument consisted of 54 management tasks divided into four management categories: personnel, materials, financial, and organizations. For each task, the respondent was to indicate frequency of task completion and setting that contributed the most in providing competency for task completion.

A 38% response rate was achieved and 526 surveys were submitted for data analysis. Responses for number of respondents completing each task, frequency of task completion, and training setting were generated for position title, number of years as a registered dietitian, number of employees supervised, and size of hospital. chi 2 Analysis was used to determine degree of association among variables.

Every task listed on the survey was completed by at least some of the respondents. Financial management tasks had the lowest incidence of response. Clinical dietitians were found to be assuming management responsibilities to varying degrees in the practice setting; 50% or more of the respondents performed tasks in the personnel area. The position title of the dietitian influenced which tasks were completed in the practice setting but was independent of frequency of task completion. Work experience was the setting that contributed the most to attaining skills needed for task completion.

Management is a viable component of clinical dietitians' responsibility. Knowledge of activities and requirements of the workplace is essential if dietitians are to be competitive in the professional job market. With the current drive for cost-effective, quality patient care, clinical dietitians will be expected to have competent management skills.