A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experience of the Male Dietitian from Student to Professional.

PURPOSE

In Canada, dietitians serve a sex-diverse population despite the profession being predominately female (>95%). It is unknown why there are so few male dietitians. The objective of the present study was to explore the experience of the male dietitian, as a minority, in female-dominated dietetics.

METHODS

Two semi-structured interviews were conducted, approximately 6 weeks apart, with Nova Scotian male dietitians. The interviews prompted participants to reflect on their experience of being a male dietitian. Interviews were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

RESULTS

Male dietitians with between 1 and 17 years of experience participated (n = 6). Participant experiences were expressed as 4 themes: (i) feelings of difference and otherness, (ii) adapting to the female-dominated culture, (iii) constructing a professional identity, and (iv) passion as the driver for success. A theoretical framework for understanding the male dietitian's experience was outlined.

CONCLUSION

The experience of the male dietitian is unique and is a consequence of training and practicing in a female-dominated space. The effect of adaptation and construction of a professional identity that is a response to female-dominated cultural norms is wide ranging and may be constraining for male practitioners thereby affecting their contributions to the field.