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The dietitian: role, ethics, types and the nutrition care process sheet
10-mark answer frame

Define a dietitian. Explain the classification of dietitians and the role of a dietitian in nutritional care.

How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.

  1. 1 · Open in two lines. A dietitian is a trained professional who applies nutrition science to plan and supervise diets in health and disease. She is a key member of the health-care team.
  2. 2 · Classify dietitians.
    • Clinical (therapeutic) and administrative (food service).
    • Community, research and teaching.
    • Consultant (private practice).
  3. 3 · Draw the ADIME cycle. [Diagram: Assessment → Nutrition diagnosis → Intervention → Monitoring and evaluation → back to Assessment]
  4. 4 · Role in the hospital.
    • Assessment (ABCD) and diet planning from the diet order.
    • Supervising preparation and tray service.
    • Counselling, monitoring and discharge planning.
  5. 5 · Code of ethics. Honesty, evidence-based advice, confidentiality, respect, working within competence, continuing education, no conflict of interest.
  6. 6 · At the bedside. Writes a PES statement in the case file so the whole team knows the nutrition problem and the plan.
  7. 7 · Close in one line. The dietitian links nutrition science to the patient's plate and speeds recovery.

Scoring tip: Draw ADIME as a circle with the patient in the centre. A neat table of the six types of dietitians saves time and earns full marks for that part.