Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
J Hum Nutr Diet. 2023 Oct;36(5):1771-1781. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13203. Epub 2023 Jul 12.
Mental health is a rapidly evolving area of practice for dietitians. The role of dietitians in supporting the physical health of consumers experiencing mental illness is becoming more widely recognised given the importance of lifestyle interventions for physical health. The present study aimed to explore the dietitian role in mental health services as well as identify barriers and enablers to service delivery.
This was a cross-sectional survey of dietitians currently employed in any capacity in public and private mental health services. An online survey comprised of questions pertaining to four domains, including demographics, role and service provision, experience and supervision, barriers/challenges and drivers/enablers was completed and included closed and open-ended responses.
In total, 48 responses were included. The mean ± SD age of respondents was 36.1 ± 10.9 years (range 23-67 years) with the majority working in inpatient settings. The top three tasks respondents reported conducting were individual consultations (n = 47; 98%), group programs (n = 23; 48%) and multidisciplinary team meetings. Barriers included a lack of awareness from others regarding a dietitian's role in mental health, and a lack of specific tools for nutrition screening. More training, resources and increased evidence base to guide practice would enable better service provision.
The present study provides insights regarding the possible drivers and barriers to effective service provision for dietitians working in mental health services focusing on the local contexts of respondents. The findings highlight the importance and value of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
心理健康是营养师不断发展的实践领域。鉴于生活方式干预对身体健康的重要性，营养师在支持患有精神疾病的消费者身体健康方面的作用越来越得到广泛认可。本研究旨在探讨营养师在精神卫生服务中的角色，以及确定服务提供的障碍和促进因素。
这是一项横断面调查，调查了目前在公共和私人精神卫生服务中以任何身份任职的营养师。在线调查包括与四个领域相关的问题，包括人口统计学、角色和服务提供、经验和监督、障碍/挑战以及驱动因素/促进因素，包括封闭式和开放式回答。
共纳入 48 份回复。受访者的平均年龄为 36.1 ± 10.9 岁（范围 23-67 岁），大多数在住院环境中工作。受访者报告进行的前三项任务是个人咨询（n=47；98%）、小组计划（n=23；48%）和多学科团队会议。障碍包括其他人对营养师在精神卫生方面的角色缺乏认识，以及缺乏营养筛查的特定工具。更多的培训、资源和增加证据基础来指导实践将能够更好地提供服务。
本研究提供了关于营养师在精神卫生服务中有效提供服务的可能驱动因素和障碍的见解，重点关注受访者的本地背景。研究结果强调了在多学科团队中协作工作的重要性和价值。
