Why Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Are Not Doing Research—Perceptions, Barriers, and Participation in Research from the Academy’s Dietetics Practice-Based Research Network Needs Assessment Survey

Abstract

T HE PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH Network (PBRN) model has been adapted to nutrition and dietetics via the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Dietetics PracticeBased Research Network (DPBRN). The DPBRN conducted a survey in November 2013 to determine registered dietitian nutritionists’ (RDNs’) perceptions of research, current participation, and barriers to participating in research, and to determine resources that would be helpful in improving the RDN’s ability to conduct research through the DPBRN and other venues. The dietetics profession is dependent on research to guide clinical practice and to provide evidence of the impact of RDNs on health outcomes, which might lead to increased reimbursement and demand for nutrition services. Previous surveys indicated a high level of interest in research participation by health care professionals, including RDNs and dietetic interns, but most RDNs do not participate in research, especially activities higher on the research continuum, such as leading or supervising research projects. Most RDNs report <10% of their workload is dedicated to research activities. Research involvement has been highly correlated with primary area of practice; those working in education or research have more research experience than those in other areas. Other factors previously identified as leading tomore involvement in research among RDNs include holding a postgraduate degree or a doctorate, having research included in their job description, or having more experience in research or in dietetics. RDNs report barriers to participating in research, including lack of research skills, time, financial resources, staff, administrative support, and expertise or training in research. In addition, RDNs have previously indicated that participating in research is not relevant to their job description and that other work is more important. RDNs have expressed interest in obtaining additional resources to improve their research skills, which includes training that is specific and relevant to the clinical RDN. One-on-one mentorship and collaboration are timeintensive methods that might not be feasible for the mentor or mentee, given the lack of time reported by RDNs. Therefore, to incorporate research into practice as the foundation for the profession of nutrition and dietetics, unique methods for involving RDNs in research must be developed. The PBRN is one model for increasing the relevancy of research into practice and for incorporating practitioners in the research project while reducing the time burden and need for specialized research knowledge. PBRNs decrease barriers to research by developing methodology, securing Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals, conducting data analysis, and writing research results for publication, while the practitioner is involved in determining the study question and executing the project. The Academy survey described here sought to identify whether barriers