Thank you, Katie, for the update about the new Academy Visioning Report!  UAND Members – Katie wants to take your feedback back to the Academy.  Read on to learn about the BIG changes ahead for the future of dietetics.

On September 5, 2012, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics released the long-awaited “Visioning Report – Moving Forward – A Vision for the Continuum of Dietetics Education, Credentialing and Practice.”  The report was posted on September 6, and is available for download on www.eatright.org.  Log into the member page and you will find it prominently displayed under Latest Academy Food and Nutrition Information.  Follow the links to see the entire document.  A short video introduction is available here: The Future of the Dietetics Profession.

The Mega Issue question for all Academy members is, “What suggestions do you have for the implementation of the recommendations from the visioning report?”

Below are the nine recommendations that have been put forward to Academy members and will be discussed in the Fall 2012 Academy House of Delegates.  Any comments from Academy members are due by September 28, 2012.

Please contact me with questions, concerns or comments at katie.mcdonald@imail.org

-Katie McDonald, HOD, Utah Affiliate

Recommendations for the Future of the Profession

Appendices that are mentioned can be found in the report on www.eatright.org – instructions above.

Recommendation #1: Elevate the educational preparation for the future entry-level RD to a minimum of a graduate degree from an ACEND-accredited program (see Appendix A, page 35).  Currently credentialed RDs will be able to continue practice and be recertified without obtaining a graduate degree.  The degree requirement for entry into the profession should provide flexibility among institutions of higher learning.

Recommendation #2: Recommend that the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) require an ACEND-accredited graduate degree program and/or consortium that integrates both the academic coursework and supervised practice components into a seamless (1-step) program as a requirement to obtain the future entry-level RD credential (see Appendix A, page 35).  Create an educational system for the future entry-level RD based on core competencies, which provides greater depth in knowledge and skills that build on the undergraduate curriculum, and includes an emphasis area (clinical, management, community/public health).

Recommendation #3: Support the development and implementation of a new credential and examination for baccalaureate degree graduates who have met Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements (see Appendix A, page 35)  The competencies, skills, and educational standards should clearly differentiate between the practice roles of individuals with the new credential and current/future graduate degree–prepared RDs and provide minimal overlap between the two.  Legislative and regulatory issues (state and federal) will concurrently be examined, and a strategy will be designed to address potential unintended consequences of developing a new credential for licensure and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement.

Recommendation #4: Using a timeline defined by CDR, phase out the current DTR credential (see Appendix A, page 35).  Currently-credentialed DTR practitioners will continue to be supported and recertified.  DT education programs will continue to exist to meet the needs of the workforce in their local communities, and encourage transfer options with 4-year institutions.  Currently-credentialed DTRs will be provided guidance to achieve a baccalaureate degree necessary to meet eligibility requirements for the new examination and credential for DPD graduates, if desired.  A plan will be created for all existing Dietetics Technician (DT) education programs and DTRs to promote the positive impact of this transition for increasing workforce growth and opportunities.

Recommendation #5: Recommend that ACEND revise the undergraduate curriculum for dietetics education programs to include requirements for practicum and diverse learning experiences outside of the classroom. This allows an opportunity to introduce students to the breadth of the dietetics profession and to apply theory to practice (see Appendix A, page 35).  This recommendation strives to develop students’ critical thinking, leadership, communication, and management skills by providing opportunities to experience them in the context of professional work settings. This will augment their continued preparation in a broad base in food, nutrition and systems and will emphasize the core knowledge and skills needed by all credentialed 4-year graduates.

Recommendation #6: Continue to support development of board certified specialist credentials in focus areas where there is a reasonable pool of practitioners to justify the cost of development and maintenance of the credential, and develop a system to recognize RDs practicing in focus areas where numbers are too small to justify the financial investment (see Appendix A, page 35).

Recommendation #7: Support continuing development of advanced practice credentials for the nutrition and dietetics profession, based on objective evidence (see Appendix A, page 35). Continue to encourage and develop advanced practice educational experiences and opportunities.

Recommendation #8: Conduct a well–funded, comprehensive marketing, branding, and strategic communications campaign related to all of the recommended changes targeting both internal and external stakeholders.

Recommendation #9: Support an RD credential name change that will be reflective of the changes outlined previously and align with the name change of the Academy. The current RD credential will remain a valid credential and will not be negatively impacted by any future name changes. The terminology used for the new credential titles for the RD and the new credential for the baccalaureate degree graduate who has met DPD requirements will be complementary and coordinated to provide clarity in distinctions between the two credentials, and to address the roles, image, status, and prestige associated with each of the credentials. Legislative and regulatory issues (state and federal) will be examined concurrently, and a strategy will be designed to address potential unintended consequences of changing the name of the RD credential for licensure and CMS reimbursement.