“Gatekeepers to the Profession”: Exploring the Experiences of Ontario Dietetic Internship Coordinators

Abstract

Purpose: Dietetic internship coordinators are key players in selecting internship applicants and in shaping their experiences and professional identities throughout the internship. Coordinators’ experiences of their work have not yet been explored in the dietetic literature. Methods: Four current and four previous internship coordinators each participated in a one-on-one, semi-structured telephone interview. Data was analysed using constant comparative analysis. Results: Coordinators had three to nine years of experience. All stated their commitment and concern towards the dietetic training process. Coordinators noted the value of internship as a learning process and a time for intensive and essential practical training. Overall, participants felt gratified with their work, despite their roles requiring extensive time and resources. Other findings revealed that coordinators felt a sense of responsibility for selecting the “right” interns. Conclusions: A heightened sense of responsibility along with limited time and resources has the potential to lead to burnout for this professional group. Future enhancements and changes to the internship process have potential implications for health human resources among coordinators, but more research is required to examine specific implications of such changes on dietetic training and education in Ontario.