Evaluating the performance of clinical dietitians

The purposes of this study were to describe how clinical managers evaluate the performance of clinical dietitians and to examine managers' opinions about performance appraisal. Managers from 55 acute-care hospitals in seven midwestern states responded to a telephone survey about their appraisal of the performance of clinical dietitians. Most of the clinical managers had developed criteria with written standards for evaluating performance. Respondents evaluated the dietitians once a year and relied primarily on chart audits, other work samples, and critical incidents to judge performance. Managers in 32 of the hospitals asked their subordinates to complete a self-appraisal, and almost all of the managers negotiated with the dietitians to identify goals for professional improvement. Respondents' reasons for conducting performance appraisals were indicative of a participative management style. During the interviews, many clinical managers requested help in improving their performance appraisal systems, which suggests a need for additional training in conducting performance appraisals. The findings indicate that most clinical managers were following recommended guidelines for conducting performance appraisals.