Frontiers in Nutrition (Sep 2022)

A quasi-experimental study provides evidence that registered dietitian nutritionist care is aligned with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines for type 1 and 2 diabetes

  • Erin Lamers-Johnson,
  • Kathryn Kelley,
  • Kerri Lynn Knippen,
  • Kimberly Feddersen,
  • Damien M. Sánchez,
  • J. Scott Parrott,
  • Casey Colin,
  • Constantina Papoutsakis,
  • Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez,
  • Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.969360
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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BackgroundOne previous study examined implementation of evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines (EBNPG).ObjectivesTo describe alignment of registered dietitian nutritionists' (RDNs) documented nutrition care with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' EBNPG for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and examine impact of a midpoint training on care alignment with the guideline.MethodsIn this 2-year, quasi-experimental study, 19 RDNs providing outpatient medical nutrition therapy to adults with diabetes (n = 562) documented 787 initial and follow-up encounters. At study midpoint, RDNs received a guideline content training. A validated, automated tool was used to match standardized nutrition care process terminology (NCPT) in the documentation to NCPT expected to represent guideline implementation. A congruence score ranging from 0 (recommendation not identified) to 4 (recommendation fully implemented) was generated based on matching. Multilevel linear regression was used to examine pre-to-post training changes in congruence scores.ResultsMost patients (~75%) had only one documented RDN encounter. At least one guideline recommendation was fully implemented in 67% of encounters. The recommendations “individualize macronutrient composition” and “education on glucose monitoring” (partially or fully implemented in 85 and 79% of encounters, respectively) were most frequently implemented. The mean encounter congruence scores were not different from pre-to-post guideline training (n = 19 RDNs, 519 encounters pre-training; n = 14 RDNs, 204 encounters post-training; β = −0.06, SE = 0.04; 95% CI: −0.14, 0.03).ConclusionsMost RDN encounters had documented evidence that at least one recommendation from the EBNPG was implemented. The most frequently implemented recommendations were related to improving glycemic control. A midpoint guideline training had no impact on alignment of care with the guideline.

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