Worsfold Leanne, Kattelmann Kendra, Bacon Cheryl, Bezner Janet, Brody Rebecca, Chipman Kristi, Davis Anne, Hanson Corrine, Hodgkins Renee, Housley Lauren Atwell, Mandali Swarna, O'Sullivan-Maillet Julie, Pazzaglia Gina, Stevens Jason, Van Horn Leslie, Vogelzang Jody, Wright Lauri, Ziegler Jane, AbuSabha Rayane
iComp Consulting Inc, Ramara, Ontario, Canada.
School of Health and Nutritional Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota.
J Acad Nutr Diet. 2025 May;125(5):692-708.e15. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2025.01.013. Epub 2025 Jan 28.
The dietetics profession is facing a shortage of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) with a terminal degree. The need for doctoral-prepared RDNs was augmented with the entry-level RDN requiring a graduate degree and exacerbated by the number of retirees from the baby-boomer generation. Advanced practice doctoral (APD) programs can assist in meeting the increased need for doctoral-prepared RDNs. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Board established an Expanded Standards Committee to develop the APD academic accreditation standards, which included creating and validating doctoral-level competencies in dietetics practice. The development began with a review of the literature, including a review of advanced practice standards for nondietetic, health-related professional programs and professional-doctorate accreditation standards, and focus groups to investigate the perception and need. A rigorous, iterative, Delphi research process was used to develop the academic standards, competencies, and respective performance indicators. The iterative approach resulted in 8 validated standards with 14 competencies with 34 performance indicators for the academic accreditation APD standards. The APD standards define an advanced practice professional doctorate curriculum that is distinct from the entry-level graduate degree in clinical nutrition programs, as well as the research PhD, as it incorporates advanced didactic coursework, advanced practice residency, and applied practice-based research to achieve specific practice-based competencies. Academic accreditation at the doctoral level ensures quality programs that are educating RDNs who are competent at the advanced-practice level, enhancing not only professional practice, but also advancing research supporting practice, education, and leadership.
饮食行业正面临着拥有终端学位的注册营养师短缺的问题。随着入门级注册营养师需要研究生学位，对具备博士学位的注册营养师的需求增加，而婴儿潮一代退休人员的数量更是加剧了这一需求。高级实践博士（APD）项目有助于满足对具备博士学位的注册营养师日益增长的需求。营养与饮食教育认证委员会董事会成立了一个扩展标准委员会，以制定APD学术认证标准，其中包括制定和验证饮食实践中的博士水平能力。这项工作从文献综述开始，包括对非饮食、健康相关专业项目的高级实践标准和专业博士认证标准的综述，以及通过焦点小组来调查认知和需求。采用了严格的、迭代的德尔菲研究过程来制定学术标准、能力要求和相应的绩效指标。迭代方法产生了8项经过验证的标准、14项能力要求以及34项APD学术认证标准的绩效指标。APD标准定义了一种高级实践专业博士课程，它不同于临床营养项目的入门级研究生学位，也不同于研究型博士学位，因为它包含高级教学课程、高级实践实习和基于应用实践的研究，以实现特定的基于实践的能力。博士水平的学术认证确保了高质量的项目，这些项目培养出能够胜任高级实践水平的注册营养师，不仅提高了专业实践水平，还推动了支持实践、教育和领导力的研究。
