Physicians' perceptions of the role of clinical dietitians are changing.

We surveyed a selected group of physicians to determine their opinions regarding appropriate activities and educational background for hospital dietitians. Questionnaires were mailed to 401 physicians listed in the yellow pages of the 1988 San Jose/Santa Clara, Calif, telephone directory. Physicians were chosen from nutrition-related specialties such as cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology. Questionnaires were returned by 123 (30%) physicians. Most physicians viewed dietitians as contributing members of the health care team. However, they believed that the physician should be responsible for ordering therapeutic diets. Most physicians (98%) agreed that one of the most important duties of the dietitian is to assure patient satisfaction with food served. Physicians (94%) also believed that presenting current nutrition information to hospital personnel is an important activity. Counseling patients was an area most physicians (99%) thought should be included in the educational background of dietitians. Sixty percent of the physicians indicated that it is important for the dietitian to understand blood and urine laboratory values. These results indicate that the perceived status of hospital dietitians by physicians has improved since earlier studies.