A survey of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who provide care to clients with eating disorders: Implications for education, training and clinical practice

Successful management of eating disorder (ED) symptoms includes Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) with specialized expertise, nutrition counseling skills, and advanced training. We conducted an anonymous on-line survey self-identified ED-specialized RDNs about their previous education training, workload, job duties, satisfaction. Respondents were 182 who U.S. members the International Federation Eating Disorder Dietitians. Qualitative methods identified salient themes from narrative responses to augment data. Most respondents expressed confidence in ED-related competence, however these skills gained post-professional, self-funded activities, not ED-specific or training either school work settings. While two-thirds surveyed held degree more than half specialty certification, inverse relationship between provider expertise patient acuity was observed. working at highest levels ED care most medically complex patients less likely hold graduate degrees have prior clinical experience. Obstacles satisfaction included high caseloads, low compensation, lack employer support, burnout. Facilitators professional client communities, private practice setting. Considering essential nature rehabilitation treatment prevalence dysfunctional behaviors society at-large, observations identify gaps RDN preparedness facility staffing practices that may affect outcomes for individuals known undiagnosed ED’s. Enhancements dietetics heightened attention supervision entry-level clinicians programs are prime targets actioSuccessful action.