Communication in the Disciplines: Interpersonal Communication in Dietetics

Abstract

This study proposes to expand the scope of oral communication across the curriculum research by exploring oral genres in a dietetics curriculum from the perspective of the dietetics faculty. The goals of this qualitative study, couched within the communication in the disciplines framework, are to identify the oral genres integral to the study and practice of dietetics and to determine if dietetics faculty who participated in the study perceive the communication experiences offered during dietetics education transfer to professional practice. Two conclusions resulted: the first result is that interpersonal communication is the oral site at which the dietetics discipline is advanced and maintained. However, the results of the study showed the interpersonal concepts and skills were applied differently in the dietetics interview as compared to their application in oral communication. Results of the data analysis regarding the second goal showed that although dietetics faculty felt communication experiences provided during dietetics education were adequate for professional practice, they noted a troubling lack of confidence in the dietetic interns that manifested itself in a reluctance to communicate with persons in power positions and extended to professional practice.