© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth Role of the Dietitian in the Health Care System Chapter 2

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

Clinical Practice Role of the Clinical Dietitian Nutrition therapy Nutrition Assessment and Care –Nutrition Care Process 1.Nutrition Assessment 2.Nutrition Diagnosis 3.Nutrition Intervention 4.Nutrition Monitoring General patient care Medical specialization and certification –Table 2.2

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

Clinical Practice Other health professionals & their roles Working as a team in patient care Medical doctors Nurses Licensed pharmacists Occupational therapists (OTs) Speech language pathologists Social workers Health educators See Table 2.3

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

Professional Competencies To become an educated and trained member of the health care team Didactic program in dietetics Supervised practice Apply education in clinical setting Learn to become a critical thinker Become a R.D. (registered dietitian) Continuing ed., practice, critical thinking

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth Critical Thinking What is critical thinking? Define Components: Specific knowledge base Experience Competence Attitude Standards

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth Critical Thinking Specific Knowledge Base Knowledge of nutrition and its role in health and disease Minimum level based on Standards of Education of the ADA set by CDE Continually changing and expanding knowledge and skills Continuing Education as professionals

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth Critical Thinking Experience Supervised practice Dietetic internship or coordinated program Continued application and practice as a professional Competence Cognitive process to make clinical judgments

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth Critical Thinking Competence (cont.) Ability to identify problems and make decisions using: Scientific Method –Critically reviewed research »Evidence-based dietetics practice Problem Solving Decision Making Diagnostic Reasoning

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth Critical Thinking Attitudes Reflection of values Consider fairness and responsibility See Table 2.5 Standards Professional standards Code of ethics Standards of professional practice Criterion-based evaluation –Outcomes research

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

Critical Thinking Levels Entry-level practice---basic More experienced---able to examine alternatives independently, systematically, disconnecting from authority Highest level---analysis of the entire situation, accountability for decisions and continuous quality of care