Affiliation:
1. Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing and School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
2. School of Nursing and Midwifery and Menzies Health Institute Queensland Griffith University Brisbane Queensland Australia
3. School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences The University of Queensland Australia
Abstract
AbstractAimThis study aimed to describe dietitians' confidence in their knowledge and skills working with older adults in residential aged care facilities or home care services.MethodsA novel, quantitative online survey was distributed to aged care dietitians. Activities, knowledge, and skills areas outlined by the Dietitians Australia ‘Older Persons and Aged Care Dietitian Role Statement’ were included in the 23‐item survey. Likert scales captured participant responses. Median responses (n, %) are presented. Associations between participants' confidence in their knowledge and skills and years of experience working in aged care were explored using Pearson's chi‐squared tests.ResultsDietitians completed the survey (N = 125; age: 40 ± 13 years [mean ± SD]; 97.6% female). Dietitians reported they “always” worked collaboratively (n = 65%, 52%) and ‘often’ prescribed supplements (n = 52%, 41.6%) and utilised a food‐first approach (n = 36%, 28.8%). Dietitians ‘sometimes’ conducted malnutrition screening (n = 28%, 22.4%), audits (n = 36%, 28.8%), nutrition education (n = 53%, 42.4%) and quality improvement activities (n = 28%, 22.4%). Dietitians ‘rarely’ utilised food service/standards (n = 38%, 30.4%) and nutrition/hydration procedures (n = 35%, 28.0%). Dietitians with ≥6 years of experience were more confident than dietitians with 0–5 years in providing support programs (p = 0.003), utilising healthcare policies (p = 0.013), interpreting quality assessment (p = 0.014) and communication skills (p = 0.047). Dietitians felt ‘completely’ or ‘fairly’ confident in all knowledge and skill areas, except for government and community support programs (n = 38%, 30.4%) rated ‘somewhat’ confident.ConclusionAged care dietitians are confident in most aspects of their role but have opportunities to be better supported. Developing the confidence of higher‐level systems and communication in early career dietitians is warranted.
Subject
Nutrition and Dietetics,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Medicine (miscellaneous)
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