TRAINING, ROLES, AND PERCEPTIONS OF LEND NUTRITION FACULTY

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the roles, perceptions, and training of registered dietitians who serve as nutrition faculty in LEND programs. Methods: Qualitative data were collected regarding the training, roles, and perceptions of registered dietitians who serve as LEND nutrition faculty. The questionnaire was developed specifically for the purpose of this study and was designed from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Trends were identified using questionnaire responses from the 14 LEND nutrition faculty members that completed the survey. Results: LEND nutrition faculty tend to have advanced degrees (either Masters or Doctorate) and often receive training for developmental disabilities through the LEND program. LEND nutrition faculty perform a wide variety of roles including student training, clinical practice, and research. Clinical practice was the most commonly reported role; and LEND nutrition faculty reported that basic anthropometric measures and diet history were the main components of their nutrition assessment. LEND nutrition faculty reported multiple resources that they use to train graduate students, and nearly all of the surveyed RDs stated that they use an interdisciplinary approach to training graduate students. LEND nutrition faculty reported actions of physicians, family members, and LEND trainees that suggest that they are perceived as a valued member of the interdisciplinary team in the treatment of developmental disabilities. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the need for collaboration among LEND nutrition faculty as well as other RDs practicing in the field of developmental disabilities in order to provide the best care for their patients and to train students to eventually practice in the field. With the increasing rates of developmental disabilities (particularly autism) there is a need for more RDs who can provide appropriate nutrition care for these patients. Promoting awareness of LEND traineeships and other programs that train RDs in the field of developmental disabilities will increase the competence of nutrition care in this population. The Standards of Practice should be regularly updated to reflect changes in research and update resources to ensure that RDs working in developmental disabilities are able to provide the best possible care.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Allied Medical Professions

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Kelsey, Megan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Nahikian-Nelms, Marcia

• Nutrition
• Registered Dietitian
• developmental disabilities
• LEND
• dietetics

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1365156521

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1365156521