Abstract
Healthcare professionals provide paid care at work and potentially have caregiving responsibilities outside of work; work responsibilities in addition to child and/or elder care is considered double- or triple-duty care. Employees may experience conflict and/or enrichment as their work and family responsibilities interface. This study’s purpose is to explore the work and family interface of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), determine the prevalence of work-family conflict and enrichment, and identify characteristics associated with higher work-family conflict and enrichment scores. A survey instrument assessing caregiving responsibilities and work-family conflict and enrichment was distributed electronically to 4,900 RDNs throughout the United States. Frequencies, means, correlative relationships, and ANCOVA were calculated using SAS software 9.04. Of 1,233 usable responses, nearly two-thirds of RDNs (65.5%) reported providing either double-duty or triple-duty care. About half of RDNs (47.2%) reported work-family conflict and fewer (14.8%) reported family-work conflict. Additionally, most RDNs (79.4%) reported work-family enrichment and even more (85.2%) reported family-work enrichment. Higher work-family conflict scores had correlative relationships with higher levels of burnout, lower life satisfaction, and higher intent to quit. Higher work-family enrichment scores had correlative relationships with lower burnout, higher job satisfaction, higher career satisfaction, higher life satisfaction, and lower intent to quit. Understanding the unpaid caregiving responsibilities of RDNs and the interface of work/family responsibilities may provide insight into career planning for RDNs and guide managers of RDNs in efforts to amplify the contribution of RDNs.
Highlights
Dietetics professionals apply the science of food and nutrition as they work with individuals, groups, communities and populations to promote health and prevent/treat disease [1]
The objectives of this study are to: 1) determine the prevalence of caregiving responsibilities among Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), 2) determine the prevalence of Work-family conflict (WFC)/family-work conflict (FWC) and family-work enrichment (FWE)/work-family enrichment (WFE) for RDNs, 3) identify correlative relationships of higher WFC/FWC and FWE/WFE scores with various work characteristics, and 4) identify personal and family characteristics contributing to higher WFC/FWC and FWE/WFE scores
This study identified personal and family characteristics contributing to higher WFC/FWC and FWE/WFE scores for RDNs
Summary
Dietetics professionals apply the science of food and nutrition as they work with individuals, groups, communities and populations to promote health and prevent/treat disease [1]. Clinical nutrition involves using the Nutrition Care Process including medical nutrition therapy in working with patients/clients with diseases or conditions that nutrition plays a role [3]. Clinical RDNs conduct assessments and reassessments of patients/clients (nutritionfocused physical examinations and interviews), provide education, participate in rounds/team meetings, and indirect care activities (e.g., presentations, meetings, administrative work, and mentoring students) [4,5]. RDNs who do not provide clinical care often work in the community, food and nutrition management, consultation and business, or education and research and their work roles vary [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
