Linking clinical dietetic practice with educational development in Tennessee.

Does the setting for health care delivery affect the development of competence in clinical dietetics? A survey was conducted to compare clinical dietetic practice in hospitals and in public health agencies in Tennessee. It was found that the nature of practitioners--their demographic characteristics, credentials, and roles in practice--could not be differentiated. There was, however, a difference between groups when the high-priority counseling performance situations (problem-solving encounters) were compared, suggesting that there is a difference in competence needed for clinical dietetic practice. A Delphi probe was conducted among educators and practitioners in Tennessee to identify anticipated priorities among clients' needs and problems in future counseling intervention without regard to the setting for health care delivery. In clinical education, selecting a general set of performance situations representative of practice in a variety of settings enables practitioners to develop breadth of competence. Future practitioners need to be able to modify and create roles to address societal needs and expectations in systems not yet envisioned. The articulation of dietetic and public health nutrition education programs that have a common purpose is a step in that direction.

A survey of undergraduate programs for the community practitioner.

The purpose of the survey of college and university undergraduate programs in community nutrition, community dietetics, and public health nutrition was to characterize undergraduate programs which prepared entry-level practitioners in order to facilitate planning at the graduate level. The survey, which sampled known problems areas, revealed the diversity, confusion, and accomplishments of a field of study that is changing. The rapid growth and early stage of development of many of the undergraduate programs suggested that measures may be taken to promote excellence in both undergraduate and graduate education. Specific problems in the organization, administration, and curricula of the programs surveyed were identified. Recommendations were made to the Association of Faculties of Graduate Programs in Public Health Nutrition and the State and Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors to promote surveillance of these programs, to encourage problem-solving communications, and to conduct educational research. The report and the recommendations have been referred to the newly formed ad hoc committee of the joint associations for further action.