Strategies for Addressing the Internship Shortage and Lack of Ethnic Diversity in Dietetics

White, Jill; Beto, Judith A.

doi:10.1016/j.jand.2013.03.012

Cited by 22 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…One of the hurdles that students in this review described was the competitive atmosphere imbued in dietetics education programmes. This is likely due, in part, to the high demand for, and shortages of, placements that has been described in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia (15,16,(82)(83)(84) . In addition, a perceived oversupply of dietetics graduates, along with limited graduate employment prospects, as described in some countries (8,17) , may further exacerbate the sense of competition between students.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Globally, more than 45 000 students are completing professional dietetics qualifications each year (14) . However, emerging practitioners are facing challenges such as placement funding cuts (15) and shortages (16) and limited employment prospects upon graduation (15,17) . Dietetics graduates are also entering increasingly diverse and dynamic practice landscapes (18,19) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Dietetics students’ experiences of dietetics workforce preparation and preparedness: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis

Morgan

Campbell

Reidlinger

2018

J Human Nutrition Diet

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Dietetics students are a widely researched group. As emerging dietitians, they can provide valuable insights to inform how dietetics education programmes may be enhanced to meet contemporary healthcare needs. This review aimed to systematically synthesise dietetics students' experiences of dietetics workforce preparation. Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC, Informit and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global were searched to identify research published until June 2017. Studies investigating dietetics students' experiences of dietetics workforce preparation, and employing qualitative data collection and analysis methods were included. Data analysis was guided by thematic synthesis, where themes were constructed through an iterative and inductive process. Study quality was appraised using the RATS Qualitative Research Review Guidelines. Results: From the 3301 records identified, five studies met the inclusion criteria and the views of 120 dietetics students from two countries over a 9year period were synthesised. The overarching theme of 'navigating through the ups and downs' was underpinned by four main themes: enduring hurdles; reconciling expectations; transforming self; and making and breaking connections. Quality appraisal results rated selection bias as being inadequate/inappropriate across all studies. Conclusions: Dietetics students undertake a transformational journey through dietetics education. They are inspired by seeing what is possible through meaningful encounters with practitioners in diverse settings. However, they are challenged by competitive environments and perceived ideals that are embedded in the profession. Strategies that focus on exposing dietetics students to inspirational practitioners, increasing and celebrating diversity in academic/placement settings, and incentivising collaboration across dietetics education, could act as catalysts to enhance the experience of future dietetics students and the nutrition-related health of those they will serve. 226

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietetics students’ experiences of dietetics workforce preparation and preparedness: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis

Morgan

Campbell

Reidlinger

2018

J Human Nutrition Diet

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Practice‐based learning, undertaken during practice placements, is an important element of health professionals’ education and is central to students’ professional development . Student dietitians are required to undertake practice‐based learning and demonstrate competence against designated learning outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These factors include competing priorities of clinical caseloads and the demonstration of clinical outcomes, increasing resource constraints and, in some countries, an increase in student numbers . Concern about dietetic practice placement shortages has been described in the UK, Australia, USA and Canada . Shortages of placements can be traumatic for students as a result of delayed allocation to placements…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer‐assisted learning and small‐group teaching to improve practice placement quality and capacity in dietetics

Reidlinger

Lawrence

Thomas

et al. 2016

Nutrition & Dietetics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the national association for dietetics and nutrition professionals, recognizes the benefits of mentoring (Boyce, 2014;McCollum, 2013;Lipscomb & An, 2010;Mangan, 2012) and acknowledges the need for mentoring in undergraduate nutrition majors (White & Beto, 2013;Stein, 2012;Olivares, Burns-Whitmore, & Kessler, 2014). Participating in peer mentoring can enhance the communication skills for both mentees and mentors (Topping, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Mentoring Contributes to Career Growth of Undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetics Students

Grimes¹,

Baker²,

Kuczmarski³

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Peer mentoring has been shown to improve social networks and reduce the rate of failure in college classes. However, it has not been studied extensively with nutrition and dietetics majors, who may benefit from peer mentoring as a way to cultivate learning and improve communication and leadership skills. The University of Delaware's Dietetics Program recently implemented crossyear peer mentoring in the relatively large Introduction to Nutrition Professions class, a First Year Experience course. At the end of every class, the mentors, upperclassmen, met with small groups of students to answer questions, review assignments, and share their experiences. The ratio of mentor to student was 1:10. All mentors received training by the course instructor prior to the first mentoring sessions. The effectiveness of the mentoring experience was evaluated for both the mentees and the mentors of the 2012 and 2013 classes by a validated online survey. Of the 254 mentees, 176 (69%) completed the survey; of the 24 mentors, 21 responded. Approximately 75% of the mentees agreed or strongly agreed that mentoring provided them nutrition resources, and that they could ask the mentor questions about the field of nutrition. Mentees noted that they benefited from increased knowledge of university resources and nutrition careers and the valuable advice from mentors. Almost all mentors agreed that the program increased their leadership and communication skills, and that it was a positive experience. Mentor benefits included career development and favorable dietetic internship acceptance rate, higher than the national average. Roughly 35% of mentees and 8 of 21 mentors agreed or strongly agreed that the mentoring session expanded their friendship networks within the major. Based on these positive outcomes, peer mentoring is an effective method to enhance students' learning and career growth.

show abstract

Strategies for Addressing the Internship Shortage and Lack of Ethnic Diversity in Dietetics

Cited by 22 publications

References 32 publications

Dietetics students’ experiences of dietetics workforce preparation and preparedness: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis

Dietetics students’ experiences of dietetics workforce preparation and preparedness: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis

Peer‐assisted learning and small‐group teaching to improve practice placement quality and capacity in dietetics

Peer Mentoring Contributes to Career Growth of Undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetics Students

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About