Research Showcase Abstracts
Explore abstracts from CFDR’s annual research showcase at the DC Conference.
Year
2018
Language
English
Title
Implementation of the Nutrition Care Process and Nutrition Care Process Terminology in Canadian dietetic practice
Introduction/Purpose
The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) is a standardized approach to guide nutrition care. It encompasses four steps (nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention, nutrition monitoring and evaluation). The NCP Terminology (NCPT) was developed to help improve dietetic documentation. Although NCP/NCPT implementation has been occurring in Canada for ~10y, few data are available on this process.
Objective(s)/Process or Summary of Content
To assess NCP/NCPT implementation in Canadian dietetic practice using the newly developed and validated International Nutrition Care Process and Terminology Implementation Survey.
Method(s)/Systemic Approach Used
From February/2017-April/2017, various channels (e.g., dietetic regulatory bodies, Dietitians of Canada newsletters, social media, word-of-mouth) were used to invite dietitians from across Canada to complete the online survey (mounted on SurveyMonkey) in English or French. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results/Conclusions
In total, 503 dietitians participated; 92% completed the survey in English, and 59.8% resided in Alberta or Ontario. Respondents worked in various practice areas, but many worked with inpatients (56.7%) and/or outpatients (52.7%). Most respondents (97.3%) had heard about the NCP. Over 70% reported either frequently or always using the nutrition assessment and nutrition diagnosis steps of the NCP, and >50% reported frequently or always using the nutrition intervention, and nutrition monitoring and evaluation steps. The NCPT was most commonly implemented in the nutrition diagnosis NCP step (73.9% of respondents reported frequently or always implementing the NCPT at this step)
Conclusions(s)/Recommendations
Results in volunteer respondents suggest high awareness of the NCP and that many dietitians currently implement the NCP in their practice. Implementation varies depending on the NCP step and implementation was higher for the NCP versus NCPT.
Significance to Dietetics
This work provides baseline data on NCP/NCPT implementation in Canada, and information on where to target initiatives to improve uptake.
