2022 Volume 30 Issue 4 Pages 428-435
The purpose of this study was to clarify the current status of collaboration between registered dietitians and nurses and evaluate the efforts of registered dietitians towards this collaboration.
We examined measures to improve collaboration between registered dietitians and nurses who provide beneficial dietary support for patients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four registered dietitians with 20 years or more of clinical experience regarding the current state of collaboration between registered dietitians and nurses and what is considered necessary for collaboration. Four cases were included in the analysis. A verbatim transcript was prepared from the interview content and analyzed as data using the qualitative integration method (KJ method).
The result showed that the collaboration between the registered dietitians and nurses was characterized by the following seven symbols : recognition and respect of each other’s expertise ; current status of collaboration : lack of communication between registered dietitians and nurses ; patient disadvantage : inadequate information sharing between registered dietitians and nurses ; effective dietary support for patients : cooperation and information sharing between registered dietitians and nurses is essential for effective nutritional management ; assignment for registered dietitians : practice effective PR with the nurses ; relationship between dietitians and nurses : communicating with each other and being available to provide support to nurses ; and registered dietician’s efforts : reporting and liaising between registered dietitians and nurses.
The registered dietitian recognized that collaboration with nurses ensures effective support for patients by recognizing and respecting the expertise of both ; however, the current status revealed that the patients suffered disadvantages due to lack of communication between the registered dieticians and nurses. In order to solve this issue, the registered dietitian should practice effective PR with the nurses and increase effective reporting and adequate communication between the registered dieticians and nurses, which can ensure effective dietary support for the patients.
