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Specialty practice in dietetics: empirical models and results
R T Bradley1, P Ebbs, W Y Young
1Department of Research, CTB Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, Monterey, CA 93940.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
|February 1, 1993
Summary
This study analyzed registered dietitian tasks in renal, pediatric, and metabolic nutrition, finding a generic model reliably distinguished specialty practices but showed a weak link between advanced practice and specialization.
Area of Science:
- Dietetic Practice
- Nutrition Science
- Professional Development
Background:
- The American Dietetic Association (ADA) conducted a study to understand practice patterns among registered dietitians.
- This article focuses on distinguishing task activities in specialized nutrition areas and the relationship with advanced practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate task activities among registered dietitians in renal, pediatric, and metabolic nutrition.
- To investigate the connection between advanced-level practice and specialized practice areas.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide mail survey targeted registered dietitians with beyond-entry-level status.
- Discriminant analysis was used to identify key job tasks defining specialty practice.
Main Results:
- A generic model using 84 tasks was developed to define practice in renal, pediatric, and metabolic nutrition.
- The model reliably distinguished job activities in renal and pediatric nutrition, with less reliability for metabolic nutrition.
- A weak relationship was observed between advanced-level practice and the three specialty areas.
Conclusions:
- A core set of tasks can define specialty practice in dietetics.
- While specialization is identifiable, its direct link to advanced practice level requires further investigation.