Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Nutr Diet. 2019 Sep;76(4):382-391. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12438. Epub 2018 Jun 13.
Dietetics educators represent a small but influential workforce group that has experienced significant change in recent years. The workforce development challenges faced by this group have been largely unexplored. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of, and challenges faced by, academic dietetics educators in preparing dietitians for the workforce.
The approach taken in the present study was informed by qualitative description. Fifteen dietetics educators employed by 13 universities across Australia were purposively sampled. In-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted via telephone (n = 12) or face-to-face (n = 3) were digitally recorded then transcribed verbatim. Data were managed with NVivo and inductively analysed using open coding. Codes were condensed into themes through an iterative process involving multiple researchers.
The overarching theme of 'aiming for a moving target' was underpinned by the themes of: (i) striving for betterment; (ii) bridging dissonance and (iii) distressing impossibilities. Interviewees described how they were driven to enhance the preparation of dietitians but acknowledged disparity between what graduates are being prepared for and what they need to be prepared for. Heightened expectations of others, professional constraints and a lack of collegiality among the profession were among the challenges that manifested in a sense of frustration, concern and isolation.
Dietetics educators are motivated to shape and enhance the future profession. However, they face numerous challenges in their efforts to prepare graduates who are well-equipped for increasingly diverse dietetics practice. Strong leadership, academic collaboration and greater engagement of the broader workforce are required for the benefit of the entire profession.
营养学家教育者代表了一个规模虽小但具有影响力的劳动力群体，近年来经历了重大变革。该群体面临的劳动力发展挑战在很大程度上尚未得到探索。本研究旨在探讨学术营养学家教育者在为营养师做好就业准备方面的经验和面临的挑战。
本研究采用定性描述的方法。从澳大利亚 13 所大学聘用的 15 名营养学家教育者被有意抽样。通过电话（n=12）或面对面（n=3）进行深入的半结构化访谈，然后逐字记录并转录为文字。使用 NVivo 管理数据，并通过开放式编码进行归纳分析。通过涉及多名研究人员的迭代过程，将代码浓缩为主题。
“瞄准移动目标”的总体主题由以下主题支撑：（i）努力改进；（ii）弥合不和谐；（iii）令人痛苦的不可能性。受访者描述了他们如何致力于提高营养师的准备水平，但也承认毕业生的准备情况与他们需要的准备情况之间存在差距。对他人的期望增加、职业限制以及专业人士之间缺乏合作等挑战，导致了挫败感、担忧和孤立感。
营养学家教育者有动力塑造和加强未来的专业。然而，他们在努力培养为日益多样化的营养实践做好充分准备的毕业生方面面临着许多挑战。为了整个专业的利益，需要强有力的领导力、学术合作和更广泛的劳动力参与。
