Elyse Denman1, Elizabeth Kumiko Parker2,3, Mellisa Anne Ashley4,5, Deanne Maree Harris6, Mark Halaki7, Victoria Flood7,8, Anita Stefoska-Needham1. 1. SMART Foods Centre, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. 2. Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia. Elizabeth.Parker@health.nsw.gov.au. 3. Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. Elizabeth.Parker@health.nsw.gov.au. 4. Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia. 5. Adult Eating Disorder Service, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, 2145, Australia. 6. Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, Tamworth, NSW, 2340, Australia. 7. Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. 8. Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, 2145, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Following recent reforms by the Australian Government to the Medicare Benefits Schedule, people living with a diagnosed eating disorder (ED) in Australia have greater access to dietetic services. However, new graduate dietitians anecdotally lack confidence to provide appropriate interventions to support patients with an ED. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aims to explore the perceived confidence, and educational and professional development needs of student dietitians and new graduate dietitians in the area of EDs. METHODS: An online survey with 17 questions was designed, consisting of a combination of discrete (yes/no) questions, free text, ordered scales and 5-point Likert scales. Student dietitians, and first- and second- year graduates (n = 1456) were approached via email as potential participants, from the professional organisation Dietitians Australia member list. Survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics and odds ratios. RESULTS: In total, 150 surveys were completed, with a response rate of 10.3%. Respondents reported a lack of confidence in managing patients with an ED and implementing ED treatment approaches (81 and 95%, respectively). However, participants previously exposed to patients with an ED, such as anorexia nervosa, were 4.7 times (95% CI 1.72, 12.97) more likely to be confident compared to those not exposed to patients with an ED. The majority of respondents (37%) stated they would seek assistance from other dietitians, and develop their skills via online webinars (27%) and workshops (25%). CONCLUSIONS: This survey identified that final year dietetics students and new graduate dietitians perceive lower levels of confidence to practice in the area of EDs. The desire for further ED-specific training and education was reported.
BACKGROUND: Following recent reforms by the Australian Government to the Medicare Benefits Schedule, people living with a diagnosed eating disorder (ED) in Australia have greater access to dietetic services. However, new graduate dietitians anecdotally lack confidence to provide appropriate interventions to support patients with an ED. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aims to explore the perceived confidence, and educational and professional development needs of student dietitians and new graduate dietitians in the area of EDs. METHODS: An online survey with 17 questions was designed, consisting of a combination of discrete (yes/no) questions, free text, ordered scales and 5-point Likert scales. Student dietitians, and first- and second- year graduates (n = 1456) were approached via email as potential participants, from the professional organisation Dietitians Australia member list. Survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics and odds ratios. RESULTS: In total, 150 surveys were completed, with a response rate of 10.3%. Respondents reported a lack of confidence in managing patients with an ED and implementing ED treatment approaches (81 and 95%, respectively). However, participants previously exposed to patients with an ED, such as anorexia nervosa, were 4.7 times (95% CI 1.72, 12.97) more likely to be confident compared to those not exposed to patients with an ED. The majority of respondents (37%) stated they would seek assistance from other dietitians, and develop their skills via online webinars (27%) and workshops (25%). CONCLUSIONS: This survey identified that final year dietetics students and new graduate dietitians perceive lower levels of confidence to practice in the area of EDs. The desire for further ED-specific training and education was reported.
Entities:
Keywords:
Dietitian; Eating disorders; Education and training
Authors: P Scott Richards; Sabree Crowton; Michael E Berrett; Melissa H Smith; Kimberly Passmore Journal: Eat Disord Date: 2017-02-02 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Kjersti S Gulliksen; Ragnfrid H S Nordbø; Ester M S Espeset; Finn Skårderud; Arne Holte Journal: Eat Disord Date: 2014-11-20 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Anna Aulinas; Dean A Marengi; Francesca Galbiati; Elisa Asanza; Meghan Slattery; Christopher J Mancuso; Olivia Wons; Nadia Micali; Elana Bern; Kamryn T Eddy; Jennifer J Thomas; Madhusmita Misra; Elizabeth A Lawson Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2020-03-21 Impact factor: 4.861