title: The role of dietitians in providing guidance on the use of natural health products.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dietitians are experts on nutrition, and yet much uncertainty remains about their readiness and capacity to address a rapidly evolving marketplace of novel foods, nutrients, and nutrient-like substances (i.e., natural health products [NHPs]), which are available to consumers. In 2011, we conducted a qualitative examination of current thinking on the scope of practice, as well as barriers to and facilitators of dietitians' role as experts in providing guidance on NHP use.
  
  
  METHODS
  We sought rich descriptions of existing and future dietetic competencies with NHPs. We therefore conducted six focus groups. Participants were 18 dietitians practising in rural settings and 21 practising in urban settings of Atlantic Canada.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Themes identified included people, products, and information; future education and training underlay these themes. The "food first" philosophy of dietetics practice was a primary convergent theme, the consensus being that NHPs can be used for select populations, lifestyles, and health conditions. The less food-related the NHP, the more divergent opinions were on specific competencies and scope of practice; focus group participants often referred to the importance of "doing no harm" and evidence-based practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietitians' achievement of competency in providing guidance on NHPs will require core, consistent, and cross-disciplinary information and competencies, as well as enhanced integrative practice models.
authors.affiliation: Practice Improvement, HealthLinkBC, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Tanis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mihalynuk
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whiting
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002170:Canada; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D064686:Nutritionists; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D024382:Professional Role; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products