The existing attitudes and beliefs of health professionals in regards towards the

dietitians ability to prescribe therapeutic diet orders

ABSTRACT
Patient-centered care is becoming a high priority amongst hospitals in the United
States. In order to provide a high level of care, many hospitals have began utilizing
multidisciplinary teams to better treat their patients. Multidisciplinary teams include
medical professionals from various disciplines throughout the hospital, including
registered dietitians. As the registered dietitian becomes more involved in thorough
patient care, responsibilities subsequently increase. Many states have began to pass a
new law granting dietitians the right to prescribe therapeutic diet orders independent of
a physician. This study focused on the current attitudes and beliefs of health
professionals in regards towards the dietitians ability to prescribe therapeutic diet
orders. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine whether or not other
medical professionals within the Williamsport Regional Medical Center believed that
dietitians should have this right. A 10-question, online survey was created and
disseminated electronically to individuals within the hospital system. To participate,
individuals had to be either doctors or nurses, and ages ranged from 25 to 65 years and
older. Participants had two weeks to complete the survey. Results of the survey
indicated that 78.1% of doctors and 81.3% of nurses believed that the registered
dietitian played an integral role in patient care, but only 34.4% of doctors and 43.8% of
nurses believed that dietitians should have the right to prescribe therapeutic diet orders
independent of a physician. More research should be conducted in this area, as
therapeutic diet order writing privileges are an emerging trend in the field of dietetics.