Survey of disability‐related content in Australian dietetics programs

AIM Nutrition and dietetic services are an important component of healthcare for people living with a disability. The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia is providing more opportunities for individuals to access these services from an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD). The aim of this research was to identify how students in Australian tertiary dietetics programs are being prepared to provide these services to people with a disability. METHODS A purpose-built questionnaire with eight open-ended questions was developed by the researchers to describe the disability-related content of university and professional placement learning opportunities and was distributed to all course conveners (or their nominated representative) of dietetics programs accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia. The qualitative data were analysed using a descriptive approach. Responses were sorted into response category themes and counted to identify common themes. RESULTS A representative from 14 of 18 programs (78% response rate) participated in the survey in September and October 2016. Results indicated that although 12 programs incorporate disability-related topics into the curriculum, content was inconsistent and of varying depths. Four programs offered a disability-specific placement opportunity and nine discussed the NDIS to varying degrees. CONCLUSIONS It is important that graduates are provided with adequate learning opportunities in the area of disability to ensure that they are prepared for entry-level practise in this area. Further research may provide insight into the skills, knowledge and behaviours used by APDs working in disability to identify those that need to be strengthened in dietetics programs.

[1]  Barry Sandison,et al.  Australian Institute of Health and Welfareÿ , 2017 .

[2]  L. Ptomey,et al.  Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: nutrition services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and special health care needs. , 2015, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

[3]  Bridget C. O’Brien,et al.  Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research: A Synthesis of Recommendations , 2014, Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

[4]  K. Eagar,et al.  Implications of the National Disability Insurance Scheme for health service delivery , 2014 .

[5]  D. Plath,et al.  A National Disability Insurance Scheme: What Social Work Has to Offer , 2014 .

[6]  W. Horner-Johnson,et al.  Disability Status as an Antecedent to Chronic Conditions: National Health Interview Survey, 2006–2012 , 2014, Preventing chronic disease.

[7]  Debra F. Weinstein,et al.  2014 question of the year. , 2014, Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

[8]  G. Krahn,et al.  Toward a conceptual model for national policy and practice considerations. , 2014, Disability and health journal.

[9]  J. Walsh,et al.  Development and Principles of the National Disability Insurance Scheme , 2013 .

[10]  J. Skranes,et al.  Feeding problems, growth and nutritional status in children with cerebral palsy , 2012, Acta paediatrica.

[11]  S. Ash,et al.  Using critical incident interviews to identify the mental health knowledge, skills and attitudes of entry‐level dietitians , 2011 .

[12]  O. Hogl.  [Development and principles of food laws]. , 1955, Mitteilungen aus dem Gebiete der Lebensmittel-untersuchung un Hygiene = Travaux de chimie alimentaire et d'hygiene.