title: Nutrigenomics - perspectives from registered dietitians: a report from the Quebec-wide e-consultation on nutrigenomics among registered dietitians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Not all healthcare professionals are familiar with nutrigenomics. However, they recognise that nutrigenomics has great potential for the development of preventive health approaches. The present study aimed to provide an overall picture of the current situation about nutrigenomics in the practice of registered dietitians (RDs) from the province of Quebec (Canada).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and seventy-three RDs members of the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec completed an online survey that included 34 questions, most of which were closed-ended questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 76.9% of RDs knew about nutrigenomics. Among RDs with <5 years of experience, 49.2% knew about genetic testing related to nutrition compared to 11.7% for RDs with over 25 years of experience. Currently, 75.9% of RDs working in clinical nutrition in the public sector consider that they do not have the basic knowledge to integrate nutrigenomics in their practice compared to 62.9% for RDs in private practice. When asked about main limitations of genetic testing related to nutrition, RDs considered that genetic testing does not consider the other determinants of health, that genetic testing and their results have poor accuracy, and that there is a lack of scientific evidence. Concerns remained about ethical and legal aspects and its difficult application as a result of poor understanding and/or interpretation by professionals and/or customers. The high costs of these tests were also noted as a limitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Registered dietitians know and are interested in nutrigenomics, especially those with less experience, although they do not feel adequately qualified to integrate findings from nutrigenomics into their practice.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cormier
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: A-M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Paradis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Garneau
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desroches
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robitaille
authors.forename: M-C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vohl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004046:Dietetics; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054647:Nutrigenomics / Q000379:methods*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D064686:Nutritionists; D011792:Quebec; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: direct-to-customer tests; healthcare professionals; nutrigenomics; preventive approach; registered dietitians