Planning for the Future: Assessing the Needs of Dietetics Professionals for Graduate Education Programs

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify the specific characteristics of graduate education desired by dietetics professionals. Education is a lifelong process for dietetics practitioners, encompassing formal graduate education, continuing education programs, and informal education. Educational institutions face the challenge of helping practitioners keep pace with nontraditional workplace settings, transformations in the health care delivery and financing systems, and the explosive growth of scientific knowledge. A mail survey was conducted in 1996 to identify topics and program characteristics that would best meet the future educational needs of dietitians. With respect to formal graduate education, the 240 respondents largely endorsed the courses offered presently through the Saint Joseph College Master's program in nutrition. Respondents suggested 40 additional topics for future courses, with computer updates, health care management, eating disorders, business management, and marketing mentioned most frequently. They identified competitive training skills to prepare one for the future such as swallowing assessment, glucose assessment, and physical exams. Many respondents preferred a weekend format over the present schedule of evening classes. Respondents indicated that a combined MS/RD program would have wide appeal, especially on a part-time basis. Nearly two-fifths preferred short-term updates, such as a one-day workshop, to formal graduate courses. More than 80 potential topics were identified for such updates. A majority expressed interest in preparatory courses for ADA specialization exams. The conclusions of this study may be useful to institutions in designing graduate and continuing education programs targeted to dietetics professionals.