Examining dietitians' knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding working with older adults in residential aged care facilities and home care services: An integrative review

Bartrim, Karly; Moyle, Wendy; Rigby, Roshan; Ball, Lauren

doi:10.1111/jhn.13073

Cited by 9 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…12 Working at a narrowed scope in RACFs may be associated with dietitians' need for more role clarity. 12 A recent review of 17 studies identified that dietitians lack clarity around their role, 11 with one study referring to the role as 'self-appointed' or 'selfdirected'. 14 Although some role statements have recently been developed to support role identification, 6 dietitians should be aware of role statements to improve role awareness and to be able to advocate to work at their full scope of practice.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6 Although the importance of dietitians in RACFs is well recognised in the literature, [7][8][9][10] its integration into practice still warrants improvement. 11 A recent integrative review of 17 studies across six countries revealed that dietitians have mixed attitudes about working in RACFs. 11 Dietitians sought clarity regarding their role and greater capacity to meet future demands.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…11 Dietitians sought clarity regarding their role and greater capacity to meet future demands. 11 Specific to the Australian context, a survey of 125 dietitians working in RACFs revealed that most dietitians are confident in their knowledge and skills yet want better opportunities to complete more activities in their role in aged care. 12 To best prepare the dietetic workforce to contribute to aged care, it is important to explore dietitians' perspectives on their experiences and preparedness for working in RACFs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dietitians also support high‐quality food services and nutrition education of other staff in RACFs 6 . Although the importance of dietitians in RACFs is well recognised in the literature, 7–10 its integration into practice still warrants improvement 11 . A recent integrative review of 17 studies across six countries revealed that dietitians have mixed attitudes about working in RACFs 11 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring Australian dietitians' experiences and preparedness for working in residential aged care facilities

Bartrim,

Wright,

Moyle

et al. 2023

J Human Nutrition Diet

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BackgroundDietitians are increasingly working in residential aged care facilities (RACF). As such, supporting the RACF dietetic workforce is imperative. This qualitative study explored dietitians' experiences and preparedness for working in RACFs.MethodsA qualitative descriptive approach from a non‐singular reality relational position was used. Recruitment occurred through convenience and snowball sampling, including contacting a list of dietitians who had previously consented to be contacted for research. The interviews included a semi‐structured approach. Data were analysed using constant comparison and reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThirty‐one dietitians (n = 29 female; median age, 39 years) with a range of career experience participated in an interview. Interviews ranged from 25 to 68 min (mean duration, 41 min). Five themes and 13 subthemes were identified. Themes were: (1) joining the aged care workforce was not initially considered a career option, (2) difficulty sustaining satisfaction working in aged care, (3) navigating practical challenges working with residents while prioritising quality care, (4) poor acknowledgement of the dietitian role by staff and (5) grappling with a moral desire to improve the aged care sector.ConclusionDietitians face many challenges in fulfilling their role in RACFs, including RACF staff's poor understanding of dietitians' scope and a lack of procedural support for their daily activities. Dietitians report that genuine improvements in their job satisfaction and experiences of older adults require structural reform within the government, beyond their locus of control.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Exploring Australian dietitians' experiences and preparedness for working in residential aged care facilities

Bartrim,

Wright,

Moyle

et al. 2023

J Human Nutrition Diet

Self Cite

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show abstract

“…This change will include potential growth in working in aged care settings. Bartrim and colleagues 6 have explored dietitians' views of working in residential aged care and home care settings. Their study reflects mixed attitudes and identified this as an area where research is limited, and more work is needed to understand the knowledge and skills of the profession.…”

Section: Tools Skills and Environmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of dietitians in educating and training future dietitians and other healthcare professionals

Mellor

Ball

2023

J Human Nutrition Diet

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The role of dietitians in educating and training future dietitians and other healthcare professionalsNutrition and dietetic research aims to positively impact human health through advancing science, translation and creating a positive impact on next users. Often, we focus on a hierarchy of research evidence, which favours systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials, as well as primary data from clinical trials and studies. However, research that utilises, or focusses on, education and training plays a key role in the practice of all healthcare disciplines, including dietetics. Akin to an uneaten meal not having nutritional value, if education provided by dietitians is ineffective, our workforce will not be fit to serve communities, healthcare services and systems. This month, we are publishing a virtual issue that highlights the key recent publications in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics exploring approaches designed to improve education and training both in nutrition and dietetic professionals, as well as other health professionals.This year, 2023 is the 90th anniversary of the Royal College of Physicians nominating the first dietetic committee. This same year was also when the King's College of Household and Social Science (before it became Queen's College and then King's College again) developed a prototype training course (although the British Dietetic Association formally came into existence in 1936). In the UK, as well as in other countries, nutrition and dietetic education has expanded and considerably evolved during the 20th and 21st centuries. Now as a maturing profession, it is applying a range of research methodologies to enhance its continuing development, carefully considering how practice is initially crafted and competency developed through to challenging effectiveness of practice.Hickson and colleagues 1 in their agenda setting article "Future Dietitian 2025", funded by the British Dietetic Association, sort to scope out what dietitians of the future (at least for a UK setting) might look like. The need to be more outward looking is acknowledged, so that dietitians would be able to better influence not only the practices of other dietitians, but also other professions and have an impact in wider society. As with many professions, there is the challenge of maintaining professional identity and direction at the same time as seeking to influence others and grow the visibility of routes for dietitians to progress in proficiency and career and to be able to take advantage of emerging

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Australian dietitians' confidence in their knowledge and skills working with older adults in aged care: A national survey

Bartrim,

Moyle,

Wright

et al. 2023

Nutrition & Dietetics

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AimThis study aimed to describe dietitians' confidence in their knowledge and skills working with older adults in residential aged care facilities or home care services.MethodsA novel, quantitative online survey was distributed to aged care dietitians. Activities, knowledge, and skills areas outlined by the Dietitians Australia ‘Older Persons and Aged Care Dietitian Role Statement’ were included in the 23‐item survey. Likert scales captured participant responses. Median responses (n, %) are presented. Associations between participants' confidence in their knowledge and skills and years of experience working in aged care were explored using Pearson's chi‐squared tests.ResultsDietitians completed the survey (N = 125; age: 40 ± 13 years [mean ± SD]; 97.6% female). Dietitians reported they “always” worked collaboratively (n = 65%, 52%) and ‘often’ prescribed supplements (n = 52%, 41.6%) and utilised a food‐first approach (n = 36%, 28.8%). Dietitians ‘sometimes’ conducted malnutrition screening (n = 28%, 22.4%), audits (n = 36%, 28.8%), nutrition education (n = 53%, 42.4%) and quality improvement activities (n = 28%, 22.4%). Dietitians ‘rarely’ utilised food service/standards (n = 38%, 30.4%) and nutrition/hydration procedures (n = 35%, 28.0%). Dietitians with ≥6 years of experience were more confident than dietitians with 0–5 years in providing support programs (p = 0.003), utilising healthcare policies (p = 0.013), interpreting quality assessment (p = 0.014) and communication skills (p = 0.047). Dietitians felt ‘completely’ or ‘fairly’ confident in all knowledge and skill areas, except for government and community support programs (n = 38%, 30.4%) rated ‘somewhat’ confident.ConclusionAged care dietitians are confident in most aspects of their role but have opportunities to be better supported. Developing the confidence of higher‐level systems and communication in early career dietitians is warranted.

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Examining dietitians' knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding working with older adults in residential aged care facilities and home care services: An integrative review

Cited by 9 publications

References 39 publications

Exploring Australian dietitians' experiences and preparedness for working in residential aged care facilities

Exploring Australian dietitians' experiences and preparedness for working in residential aged care facilities

The role of dietitians in educating and training future dietitians and other healthcare professionals

Australian dietitians' confidence in their knowledge and skills working with older adults in aged care: A national survey

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