Dietetic Scope of Practice in Saskatchewan: Dietitian Perceptions

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
15 August 2014

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of scope of practice for dietetics in Saskatchewan.
Methods: Using interpretative description methodology, data were collected through 4 phases. This article reports on phases II and III. In phase II, 92 Saskatchewan Registered Dietitians (RDs) participated in an online survey on scope of practice. In phase III, 8 Saskatchewan RDs participated in a 3-week online focus group.
Results: Results from phases II and III indicate that participants saw numerous opportunities in defining, understanding, and working with a scope of practice. Without a scope of practice, participants were interpreting their role from a combination of documents (e.g., ethics, research) and stakeholders (e.g., employers and colleagues). Current confusion amongst employers, other health professions, and RDs themselves regarding the role of dietitians was identified.
Conclusion: Most participants believed a scope of practice would provide guidance to employers, other health professions, the public, regulatory bodies, and RDs themselves about the role of a dietitian. Dietetic regulators should continue to provide clear guidelines to their members and employers on safe dietetic practice. Dietitians need to be certain they are safely practicing within provincial policies and their own professional knowledge and skill at all times.

Résumé

Objectif. L'objectif de cette étude était d'explorer le concept du champ de pratique dans le contexte de la diététique en Saskatchewan.
Méthodes. À l'aide d'une méthodologie de description interprétative, des données ont été recueillies en 4 phases. Cet article porte sur les phases II et III. Au cours de la phase II, 92 diététistes de la Saskatchewan ont participé à un sondage en ligne sur le champ de pratique. Durant la phase III, 8 diététistes de la Saskatchewan ont pris part à un groupe de discussion en ligne d'une durée de 3 semaines.
Résultats. Les résultats des phases II et III indiquent que les participants voyaient de nombreux avantages à définir et à comprendre un champ de pratique et à l'intégrer à leur travail. Sans champ de pratique, les participants définissaient leur rôle en se basant sur une combinaison de documents (p. ex. éthique, recherche) et d'intervenants (p. ex. employeurs et collègues). Il a été établi qu'une confusion règne actuellement chez les employeurs, les diététistes et d'autres professions de la santé en ce qui concerne le rôle des diététistes.
Conclusion. La plupart des participants croyaient qu'un champ de pratique fournirait une orientation aux employeurs, aux diététistes, aux autres professions de la santé, au public et aux organismes de réglementation quant au rôle des diététistes. Les organismes de réglementation en diététique devraient continuer de fournir des directives claires à leurs membres et aux employeurs en ce qui a trait à la pratique sécuritaire de la diététique. De plus, les diététistes doivent s'assurer de pratiquer de façon sécuritaire en tout temps, conformément aux politiques provinciales et à leurs propres connaissances et compétences professionnelles.

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References

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 75Number 4December 2014
Pages: 167 - 172

History

Version of record online: 15 August 2014

Authors

Affiliations

Martina Selinger, MSc, RD
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Shawna Berenbaum, PhD, RD
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

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1. Dietetic Scopes of Practice Across Canada

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