Registered dietitians' use of physical assessment parameters in professional practice.
OBJECTIVE
To examine how registered dietitians who have completed one of two physical assessment programs use the knowledge and skills learned in practice and whether method of instruction had an affect on use of skills in practice.


METHODS
Surveys were mailed to 891 persons, all of whom completed a Dietitians in Nutrition Support dietetic practice group or University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey continuing education program. Four hundred seventeen surveys were returned and 407 were usable.


METHODS
chi(2) analysis and stepwise logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Statistical significance was P=.05.


RESULTS
Sixty percent of respondents worked in a clinic setting. Four of the five most-used competencies were similar between the two programs. More registered dietitians are using physical assessment competency information in clinical assessment, but not performing the competencies independently. Respondents with the Certified Diabetic Educator credential (P=.007) and Certified Nutrition Support Dietitians credential (P=.215) were more likely to use select physical assessment competencies. Confidence was reported as enhancing use of physical assessment competencies (n=153, 45%) and time was a barrier to using physical assessment competencies (n=159, 52%).


CONCLUSIONS
There were no significant differences in use of physical assessment competencies between the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey program and the Dietitians in Nutrition Support program. Although not statistically significant, there appeared to be more use of physical assessment competencies by those who received additional training and those who completed the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey program. This study reveals that registered dietitians are using the values in clinical assessment, however they must move to actually performing physical assessment competencies in practice.
Mackle
Tami Jones
TJ
Department of Primary Care, School of Health Related Professions, University of Medicine and Dentistry of new Jersey, Newark, 07107, USA. tamijones@aol.com
Touger-Decker
Riva
R
O'Sullivan Maillet
Julie
J
Holland
Bart K
BK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014741:Video Recording