Image and role of the consultant dietitian in long-term care: Results from a survey of three Midwestern states

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

“…Other dietitians explained their tasks as mostly ‘self‐appointed’ or ‘self‐directed’, with one dietitian reporting, ‘ I always make my job … there has never been a job description for me and … I have never been trained for a job, ever ’ 29 . Several other studies supported the notion of lack of clarity for dietetic roles, as each study described different role functions, including providing nutrition care, working with food service, completing in‐service education for staff and maintaining and conducting quality assurance audits 18–20,27–29 . Dietitians also perceived a difference between actual and desired tasks, specifically that spending time with patients was a high priority but not always possible because of their other duties 18,28 .…”

“…These concerning attitudes have persisted over time, with one survey in the year 1989 finding that most ( n = 22; 73%) participants were frustrated in their role, some ( n = 9; 30%) felt depressed about their role, and half ( n = 15; 50%) were satisfied in their role 28 . More recently, dietitians rated other professions higher than their own regarding their position being viewed as ‘necessary/vital/important’ and ‘helpful and cooperative’ 19 …”

“…Dietitians also mentioned workload difficulties because of a lack of time, human resources and increased workload 27 . In five studies, dietitians suggested that more job opportunities are needed in RACFs and home care services 16,19,21,25,27 . A dietitian also mentioned a shortage of employment positions for dietitians in an interview conducted in Israel; ‘ Unfortunately … the current standardisation (hours and workload requirements) doesn't allow me to work to the extent and quality I would like ’ 27 .…”

“…A dietitian also mentioned a shortage of employment positions for dietitians in an interview conducted in Israel; ‘ Unfortunately … the current standardisation (hours and workload requirements) doesn't allow me to work to the extent and quality I would like ’ 27 . Furthermore, dietitians perceived that the organisations or businesses that commission the services do not allocate sufficient paid time to monitor their patients effectively 19,25 . Dietitians also shared a lack of confidence as some reported fewer positive responses about their knowledge in general compared to other health professionals 19 …”

“…19,25 Dietitians also shared a lack of confidence as some reported fewer positive responses about their knowledge in general compared to other health professionals. 19 Dietitians reported they need to build knowledge with new tasks and highlight that they need time to develop professionally. 27 Despite a perceived lack of knowledge around new tasks and poorer ratings of perceived knowledge, 63% of dietitians rated their overall perceived knowledge about older adult nutrition as 'good'.…”