Ontario Health Human Resources Research Network, University of Ottawa - Institute of Population Health, 1 Stewart St., room 227, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8M5.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013 Jul 3;13:156. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-156.
Registered dietitians (RDs) play a key role in disseminating information about nutrition and intervening in nutrition-related disorders in the Canadian context. Natural health products (NHPs) are increasingly associated with nutrition in patient and health professional discussions. For this study, NHPs were divided into three categories: nutritional supplements (NS); functional foods/nutraceuticals (FF/N); and herbal preparations (HP). The objective was to explore RDs' perceptions about their professional roles and responsibilities with respect to three categories of natural health products (NHPs).
This research consisted of an on-line survey of registered dietitians (RDs) in Ontario.Surveys were distributed electronically to all practicing RDs in Ontario by the College of Dietitians of Ontario. There were 558 survey respondents, a response rate of 20%.
The vast majority of RDs reported being consulted by clients about all product categories (98% for NS; 94% for FF/N; 91% for HP), with RDs receiving the most frequent questions about NS and the least frequent about HP. 74% of RDs believed that NS are included within the current scope of practice, compared to 59% for FF/N and 14% for HP. Even higher numbers believed that these products should be included: 97% for NS, 91% for FF/N and 47% for HP. RDs who report personally ingesting FF/N and HP were significantly more likely to report that these products should be in the dietetic scope of practice. In contrast, RDs who provide one-on-one counselling services or group-level counselling/workshops were significantly less likely to believe HP should be in the dietetic scope of practice.
Opinions of RDs indicated that NS and FF/N (and possibly HP) fall within, or should fall within, RDs' scope of practice. Opportunity exists for RDs to undertake a professional role with respect to NHPs. Policy clarification regarding RD roles is needed.
注册营养师（RD）在加拿大的语境中，在传播营养信息和干预营养相关疾病方面发挥着关键作用。天然健康产品（NHPs）在患者和医疗保健专业人员的讨论中越来越多地与营养相关联。在这项研究中，NHPs 被分为三类：营养补充剂（NS）；功能性食品/营养保健品（FF/N）；和草药制剂（HP）。目的是探讨注册营养师对其在三类天然健康产品（NHPs）方面的专业角色和责任的看法。
这是一项对安大略省注册营养师（RD）的在线调查。安大略省营养师学院通过电子邮件向安大略省所有执业 RD 分发了调查问卷。共有 558 名调查对象回复，回复率为 20%。
绝大多数 RD 报告说，客户就所有产品类别向他们咨询（NS 为 98%；FF/N 为 94%；HP 为 91%），RD 收到的关于 NS 的问题最多，关于 HP 的问题最少。74%的 RD 认为 NS 包含在当前的实践范围内，而 FF/N 为 59%，HP 为 14%。更多的 RD 认为这些产品应该包含在内：NS 为 97%，FF/N 为 91%，HP 为 47%。报告自己摄入 FF/N 和 HP 的 RD 更有可能认为这些产品应该属于饮食学的实践范围。相比之下，提供一对一咨询服务或小组一级咨询/研讨会的 RD 则不太可能认为 HP 应该属于饮食学的实践范围。
RD 的意见表明，NS 和 FF/N（可能还有 HP）属于或应该属于 RD 的实践范围。RD 在 NHPs 方面有机会承担专业角色。需要明确关于 RD 角色的政策。
