© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

Role of the Dietitian in the Health Care System

Chapter 2

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

Clinical Practice

• Role of the Clinical Dietitian Nutrition therapy

• Nutrition Assessment and Care– Nutrition Care Process

1. Nutrition Assessment2. Nutrition Diagnosis3. Nutrition Intervention4. Nutrition Monitoring

• General patient care• Medical specialization and certification

– Table 2.2

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

Clinical Practice

• Other health professionals & their rolesWorking 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

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

ProfessionalCompetencies

• To become an educated and trained member of the health care teamDidactic program in dieteticsSupervised practice

• Apply education in clinical settingLearn to become a critical thinkerBecome a R.D. (registered dietitian)Continuing ed., practice, critical

thinking

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Critical Thinking

• What is critical thinking?Define

• Components:Specific knowledge baseExperienceCompetenceAttitudeStandards

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Critical Thinking

• Specific Knowledge BaseKnowledge 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

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Critical Thinking

• ExperienceSupervised practice

• Dietetic internship or coordinated program

Continued application and practice as a professional

• CompetenceCognitive 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

• AttitudesReflection of valuesConsider fairness and responsibilitySee Table 2.5

• StandardsProfessional standards

• Code of ethics• Standards of professional practice• Criterion-based evaluation

– Outcomes research

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

Critical Thinking

• LevelsEntry-level practice---basicMore 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