title: A preliminary qualitative exploration of dietitians' engagement with genetics and nutritional genomics: perspectives from international leaders.
abstract: This qualitative study explored the underlying determinants of dietitians' current practice and attitudes about nutritional genomics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with international leaders selected across each domain of dietetics practice from Australia (n=8) and the United Kingdom (n=8). Interviews explored knowledge, involvement, perceived role, and attitudes about the benefits and barriers of genetics and nutritional genomics. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five key themes were identified: (i) acknowledgment that there are wide applications for nutritional genomics; (ii) a general lack of awareness of nutritional genomics that underlies a knowledge, skills, and confidence gap; (iii) dietitians are patient-orientated and thus are receptive to the public's needs; (iv) the legitimacy of commercialised nutritional genomics products and services; and (v) prioritisation of nutritional genomics amongst other practice-related commitments as well as the influence of the workplace setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order for healthcare services to prepare for the application of nutritional genomics, these social, political, attitudinal, and awareness issues amongst dietitians need to be addressed. Further education in nutritional genomics may help to build awareness, continued research is crucial in determining utility, whilst establishing a healthcare system that supports and rewards this approach may cultivate its adoption.
authors.affiliation: Dep. of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, VIC 3168, Australia. Tel +613 9902 4270, fax +61395946258. claire.palermo@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Sherly X
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jorja
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Truby
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Whelan
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palermo
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007857:Leadership; D054647:Nutrigenomics / Q000379:methods*; D064686:Nutritionists / Q000523:psychology*; D011057:Politics; D024382:Professional Role; D036301:Qualitative Research