Perceived Needs for Graduate Level Clinical Nutrition Education for Registered Dietitians

Abstract

Registered dietitians (RDs) took an electronic survey regarding the perceived graduate education needs and opinions on pursuing graduate degrees. A sample of 1166 RDs were surveyed. The usable response rate was 39.7%. Respondents were stratified into 3 groups for comparison. Results were reported descriptively, and χ 2 and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to test relationships. Reasons for pursuing graduate degrees included enhanced knowledge (77.2%) and personal development (61.6%). Reasons for not pursing graduate degrees included no increased compensation/benefits (66.3%) and insufficient time (49.5%). Significantly more RDs with postprofessional graduate degrees than the other groups perceived the need for the following courses: Applied Physiology (P = .006), Clinical Management (P = .028), Applied Clinical Research (P < .001), and Outcomes Research (P < .001).

Developing an Advanced Practice Credential for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Clinical Nutrition Practice

“…However, results from the 2007 Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) advanced practice audit suggested that narrowing the focus of advanced practice would aid in detecting an advanced practice skill set. 8 Based on ongoing interest in advanced practice and prior Academy and CDR task force and committee work, [9][10][11][12][13] CDR appointed a task force to identify advanced practice skills among RDNs who provide patient or client care. Traditionally, "clinical" patient or client care has been in acute-care settings.…”