title: Demographics and nutrition-related patient care encounters: a survey of physician assistants in Nebraska.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To collect information regarding demographics, nutrition-related patient care encounters, and comfort levels in addressing nutrition-related problems in a population of physician assistants (PA) currently practicing in Nebraska.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was developed by faculty members in the Medical Nutrition Education and Physician Assistant Education programs, School of Allied Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test. A P-value of < .05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The return rate of the survey was 70% (N = 266). A high percentage of PAs (86%) reported they often or occasionally encounter nutrition-related issues with patients. In contrast, only 27% of survey respondents felt "very comfortable" in addressing nutrition-related issues. Encountering nutrition issues often and having patients that ask questions about nutrition were significantly associated with a PA's comfort in addressing nutrition issues (P < .001 for both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PAs are very likely to encounter nutrition-related issues in their practice. Attention to nutrition-related topics in the PA curriculum and continuing education may be beneficial in increasing the comfort of PAs in addressing these issues.
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, School of Allied Health Professions, 984045 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA. ckhanson@unmc.edu
authors.forename: Corrine K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Glenda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Woscyna
authors.forename: Sara Kvien
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lyden
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Somers
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grandjean
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009329:Nebraska; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010823:Physician Assistants / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*