Preparation of the community-medical dietitian: a survey of graduates.

The 1984 Study Commission on Dietetics reports that dietetics education needs greater emphasis/depth on management, communications, and the scientific principles of nutrition, with a broader base in the behavioral sciences. This recommendation is supported by recent graduates and their employers. The skill area identified as deficient by the most employers was the ability to delegate or direct. At least 20% of these graduates felt a need to strengthen their role as interpreter of nutrition science and the curricular areas related to nutrient metabolism, educational methods, and behavior modification. Changes projected for the dietetics profession in the future include an increase in patient care outside the hospital; an increase in the need for nutrition services in independent medical practice associations, gerontology centers, and fitness centers; and an increase in opportunities in the business world. Educational programs must be sensitive to the new skills needed for practice in both clinical and community dietetics. They must continue to assess their effectiveness in providing these, because the dietitian best prepared with skills in both areas will be best prepared for the future.