Job Performance Frequency and the Training Needs of Dieticians in Elderly Healthcare Facilities

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to identify job frequency and the training needs of dieticians in elderly health care facilities. This study consisted of dieticians working in elderly health care facilities with a capacity of over 50 elderly. Survey questionnaires were distributed to 190 dieticians through the mail and 106 dieticians (55.8%) participated in this study. The results of the survey showed that dieticians in elderly health care facilities frequently performed the following job work management, safety and sanitation management, purchase management, human resource management, finance management, nutrition management, and marketing management. The job frequency in safety and sanitation management (p<0.05) and nutrition management (p<0.01) areas were significantly different by the number of dieticians. Safety and sanitation management and menu management were considered job areas that needed further training and education. Dieticians in elderly health care facilities responded that the following jobs should require not only training but are also frequently performed safety and sanitation management, menu management, work management, and human resource management. Thus, based on the results of this study, continuous training programs in these fields should be offered to satisfy the needs of dieticians.