Performance issues of dietetic interns: a dietetic educator's perspective.
OBJECTIVE
Dietetic internships provide practical experience leading, in most cases, to the attainment of entry-level dietetic competence. Problematic intern performance issues were examined, as were how educators resolve these issues and the supports they require to manage them.


METHODS
A survey was electronically distributed to all Dietitians of Canada internship/university course directors (n=57). The response rate was 40% (n=23).


RESULTS
Annually, 61% of internships involve challenging performance issues related to intern knowledge, skills, attitude, and behaviour. These issues manifest themselves individually or in combination as an intern's inability to apply/demonstrate appropriate knowledge/skill, a view/approach to the profession that is not in keeping with the organizational view, an attitude that is in conflict with program values, a negative response to feedback, an inability to relate to others, work habits that are in conflict with program values, and personal attributes that detract from the ability to meet program expectations. Educators respond to these issues by modifying their communications, the learning environment, and the program.


CONCLUSIONS
Educators' strategies could be enhanced through consultation with other educators, mentor training, and the development of formal procedures.
Lordly
Daphne
D
Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS.
D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*