Event Title
Self-reported Confidence in Treating Disordered Eating: Michigan Registered Dietitian Nutritionists
Description
INTRODUCTION: Despite the crucial role dietitians play in treating eating disorders, many dietitians have reported not feeling adequately trained to work with this patient population. Dietitians have a role in screening patients to identify disordered eating behavior; however, more research is needed to assess the ability of RDNs to identify eating disorder behavior, provide evidence-based treatment and feel confident in their role on the multidisciplinary team. The intent of this research project is to investigate the level of training dietitians receive to prepare them to work with patients with disordered eating. Research questions include: Do Michigan based registered dietitians feel their education and other training adequately prepared them to identify and treat patients with disordered eating? Does confidence level in treating disordered eating vary by type and length of education, additional training, clinical experience, and interest level? METHODS: Registered dietitians were invited via the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics monthly e-newsletter to participate in a 10-minute online survey administered through Qualtrics. Participants were required to be registered dietitians including retired practitioners but excluding students. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Additionally, open-ended responses were analyzed qualitatively using content analysis with an inductive coding method to identify themes. RESULTS: Thirty-four RDNs completed the survey, with most (71%) indicating that they occasionally work with patients who have disordered eating. However, 88% of participants (n = 30) reported that they do not feel adequately trained to work with patients with disordered eating. On a scale of one to ten (one being least confident, ten being most confident), participants ranked their confidence level at 4.9 on average. Self-reported comfort level increased with the amount of disordered eating training completed. However, participants with graduate degrees indicated that graduate-level training related to disordered eating was more valuable than that received as an undergraduate student. CONCLUSIONS: Many participants identified the need to be trained in disordered eating, regardless of their dietetics practice area. From qualitative data analysis, a common theme from open-ended responses was that Michigan RDNs consider eating disorders and obesity/ weight loss as the most challenging populations that they work with. It appears that there is a disconnect between the desires of registered dietitians and the training they are receiving, which needs to be addressed in each step of the dietitian training process. More research is needed on a broader scale, to determine if training is consistent across the United States, as this study focused on Michigan-based dietitians. However, initial findings suggest that graduate education programs represent an opportunity to increase confidence and competence of RDNs at treating patients with disordered eating.
Self-reported Confidence in Treating Disordered Eating: Michigan Registered Dietitian Nutritionists
INTRODUCTION: Despite the crucial role dietitians play in treating eating disorders, many dietitians have reported not feeling adequately trained to work with this patient population. Dietitians have a role in screening patients to identify disordered eating behavior; however, more research is needed to assess the ability of RDNs to identify eating disorder behavior, provide evidence-based treatment and feel confident in their role on the multidisciplinary team. The intent of this research project is to investigate the level of training dietitians receive to prepare them to work with patients with disordered eating. Research questions include: Do Michigan based registered dietitians feel their education and other training adequately prepared them to identify and treat patients with disordered eating? Does confidence level in treating disordered eating vary by type and length of education, additional training, clinical experience, and interest level? METHODS: Registered dietitians were invited via the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics monthly e-newsletter to participate in a 10-minute online survey administered through Qualtrics. Participants were required to be registered dietitians including retired practitioners but excluding students. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Additionally, open-ended responses were analyzed qualitatively using content analysis with an inductive coding method to identify themes. RESULTS: Thirty-four RDNs completed the survey, with most (71%) indicating that they occasionally work with patients who have disordered eating. However, 88% of participants (n = 30) reported that they do not feel adequately trained to work with patients with disordered eating. On a scale of one to ten (one being least confident, ten being most confident), participants ranked their confidence level at 4.9 on average. Self-reported comfort level increased with the amount of disordered eating training completed. However, participants with graduate degrees indicated that graduate-level training related to disordered eating was more valuable than that received as an undergraduate student. CONCLUSIONS: Many participants identified the need to be trained in disordered eating, regardless of their dietetics practice area. From qualitative data analysis, a common theme from open-ended responses was that Michigan RDNs consider eating disorders and obesity/ weight loss as the most challenging populations that they work with. It appears that there is a disconnect between the desires of registered dietitians and the training they are receiving, which needs to be addressed in each step of the dietitian training process. More research is needed on a broader scale, to determine if training is consistent across the United States, as this study focused on Michigan-based dietitians. However, initial findings suggest that graduate education programs represent an opportunity to increase confidence and competence of RDNs at treating patients with disordered eating.