Abstract
Background
The shortage of supervised practice sites in dietetics is associated with fewer numbers
of preceptors available to supervise interns, especially in the clinical setting.
Objective
To identify clinical dietitians’ perceived benefits and challenges of training dietetic
interns and to determine key motivators that would entice nonpreceptors to volunteer
for the role.
Design
Registered dietitian nutritionists working in clinical settings completed a semi-structured,
audiotaped interview followed by a brief questionnaire.
Participants
Clinical dietitians working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient
clinics (n=100) participated: 54 preceptors and 46 nonpreceptors.
Statistical analysis
Qualitative analysis was conducted using an iterative process to identify and code
common themes. T tests were used to compare mean differences between the opinions of preceptors and
nonpreceptors.
Results
Preceptors had approximately 5 more years of experience (mean=14.27±12.09 years) than
nonpreceptors (mean=8.83±9.72 years) (P< 0.01). Furthermore, preceptors reported twice as many benefits to mentoring interns
(mean=6.7 mentions/participant) as nonpreceptors (mean=3.4 mentions/participant),
including knowledge gains and staying current. Lack of time was consistently noted
as a barrier in interviews and rated as the greatest barrier in the survey. Both groups
rated receiving continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for precepting as
the greatest potential motivator for taking on interns.
Conclusions
Incentive programs should be developed to entice nonpreceptors to take on interns.
These programs should include extensive training on the preceptor role and how to
alleviate the burden of time spent supervising interns and should provide a significant
number of CPEUs to make the added workload worthwhile.
Keywords
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Biography
R. AbuSabha is a professor and the graduate program director, Nutrition Science Department, The Sage Colleges, Troy, NY.
Biography
M. George is a registered dietitian, The Sage Colleges, Troy, NY.
Biography
C. Muller is a THOR3 tactical performance dietitian, US Army, 1st Special Forces Group (A), Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA.
Biography
J. MacLasco is a public health nutritionist, Bureau of Child & Adult Care Food Program, New York State Department of Health, Menands, NY.
Biography
E. Houghton is a registered dietitian, Slingerlands, NY.
Biography
A. Helm is certified diabetes educator and a professional development glycemic control specialist, Maryview Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 27, 2017
Accepted:
August 9,
2017
Received:
February 28,
2017
Footnotes
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
FUNDING/SUPPORT No funding was received for this project or to complete the manuscript.
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
