The nutrition care process terminology: Changes in perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and implementation amongst Australian dietitians after three years

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Nutrition & Dietetics

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing Ltd

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

26140

Comments

Vivanti, A., Lewis, J., & O'Sullivan, T. A. (2017). The nutrition care process terminology: changes in perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and implementation amongst Australian dietitians after three years. Nutrition & Dietetics, 75(1), 87-97. https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12347

Abstract

Aim

Assessing changes in dietetic perceptions, attitudes and knowledge regarding the Nutrition Care Process Terminology (NCPT) is important to determine implementation effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate changes in the perceptions and attitudes of Australian dietitians over a three-year period, identify changes in benefits and barriers to support successful NCPT implementation and determine future directions for NCPT progression.

Methods

An online survey was performed in 2011 and repeated in 2014 by recruiting members of the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) through an email link. The survey assessed familiarity, knowledge, attitudes, benefits, barriers, concerns and use of educational enablers around the NCPT.

Results

The survey was completed by 218 respondents in 2011 and 205 respondents in 2014. Survey respondents from both years were representative of overall DAA membership. Respondent knowledge of NCPT increased significantly over the three-years, as did confidence, preparation, access to support and training and NCPT usage. Respondent's identification of benefits to implementation increased whilst barriers reduced. Attitudes regarding NCPT implementation were conflicting.

Conclusions

Over three years, improvements were evident in NCPT knowledge, attitudes and usage. However, not all dietitians saw reason to implement NCPT in their practice, and some attitudes have become less supportive. A collective vision is required to foster positive attitudes towards the transformational professional benefits possible from NCPT. With ongoing uptake of electronic health records, the potential for NCPT to evaluate and justify dietetic interventions is increasing.

DOI

10.1111/1747-0080.12347

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