What Practice Issues Over 25 Years Most Interest Registered Dietitians? Survey and Interview Results

• Published in: Canadian journal of dietetic practice and research Vol. 83; no. 2; p. 81
• Main Authors: Brauer, PhD, RD, FDC, Paula, Bull, MA, Jacqueline, Nieuwhof, RD, BASc, Katelyn, Kirsh, BSc, Aleah J, Dietrich, BSc, Med, Linda, Simpson, PhD, RD, FDC, Janis Randall, Wyatt, MA, RD, Marlene
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada 01-06-2022
• Subjects: Canada; Dietetics - education; Humans; Nutritionists; Surveys and Questionnaires; Canada; chronologie en ligne; diététique; professional practice; Dietitian history; dietetics; online timeline; survey; Histoire de la diététique; pratique professionnelle; sondage
• ISSN: 1486-3847
• DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2021-034

Dietetics has changed substantially; a mixed-methods project was undertaken to: (
) gauge interest in the profession history since 1993, (
) identify preferred format(s), (
) identify possible topics, and (
) identify possible key informants. An online bilingual survey was conducted in 2018, with follow-up phone interviews among interested respondents. Survey content was organised as 12 major topics. Respondents were invited via a Dietitians of Canada (DC) newsletter, Facebook groups, and at the DC national conference. Survey data, including respondent-generated topics of interest and interview content, were descriptively analyzed. The online survey garnered 360 responses; 332 (92%) completed more than 10% of the survey and were interested in history. Detailed responses were analyzed (296 English; 36 French); 51 were interviewed. An online timeline was the most preferred format (79%). Review of the rise in technology and obesity, aging, supermarket registered dietitians (RDs), the local/organic movement, Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN), the changes in training models and scope of practice, public awareness of the profession, and advocacy and unique career paths were of most interest (≥ 50% of respondents). These results confirm interest in the recent history of the profession among RDs and provide guidance on preferred format and topics for further work.