PROF BLOG
THE FUTURE DIETITIAN Simon LangleyEvans, Professor of Human Nutrition, University of Nottingham Simon has 25 years’ experience in nutrition research, with expertise in maternal and infant nutrition. He is Chair in Human Nutrition and Head of School of Biosciences at the University of Nottingham and is the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
The role of the dietitian has never been more important within healthcare and needs to adapt to meet modern demand. Every aspect of healthcare is undergoing change at a rapid rate and in the UK, the system is creaking, as an NHS originally designed to care for a population with a life expectancy of around 70 years, has to adapt to the challenge of an increasingly elderly population suffering from long-term conditions. Many of those conditions have either a nutritional cause, or need to be managed through dietary modification. Professor Mary Hickson and colleagues at the University of Plymouth engaged in a research study to inform the British Dietetic Association’s Future Dietitian 2025 programme. This research included an environmental scan (collected information about the scope of dietitians practice in the UK, how dietitians fit within the rest of the healthcare workforce, the roles of dietetic professionals in other countries); an appreciative enquiry (an interactive event to explore positive aspects of dietetic practice with dietitians); and an online conversation with dietitians in the UK, other healthcare professionals, international dietitians and service users. This research generated a set of 16 recommendations to aid in planning for how the dietetic workforce develops over the next five to 15 years. Those recommendations sat across five key themes (see box). For those of you who are currently in training, these recommendations are
very much going to be shaping your future career. Have a read of the full report in the paper referenced below.1 Professional identity There is a tension between dietitians and nutritionists. Dietitians need to lead; be bold, innovative and proactive in the health and social care agenda and assert their expertise against a challenging background of public perception.
Strong foundations A rigorous education and training that equips the workforce for their role at any given level. Training and education should reflect the diverse opportunities outside the NHS including industry, working abroad, private practice or higher education.
Amplifying visibility and influence Dietitians need to be heard if they are to influence health and social care.
Embracing advances in science and technology Computers and e-technology will offer new ways to engage with service users and influence behaviour change.
Career advancement and emerging opportunities Dietetic practice to be developed, so that roles can be developed to specialist consultant levels and where publication of professional findings is the norm. Influencing policy rather than responding to it should be a part of the dietetic role.
References 1 Hickson M, Child J and Collinson A (2017). Future Dietitian 2025: informing the development of a workforce strategy for dietetics. J Hum Nutr Diet. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12509
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www.NHDmag.com December 2017/January 2018 - Issue 130