ORCID
0000-0003-3789-5744
Year
2022
Season
Fall
Paper Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Brooks College of Health
Degree Name
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN)
Department
Nutrition & Dietetics
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. Department of Nutrition & Dietetics
First Advisor
Dr. Lauri Wright
Second Advisor
Dr. Andrea Arikawa
Third Advisor
Dr. Casey Colin
Department Chair
Dr. Andrea Arikawa
College Dean
Dr. Curt Lox
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic advanced telephonic (TP) and tele-video (TV) visits for medical nutrition therapy (MNT). This study explored the health outcomes and patient’s viewpoints of MNT by modalities in a community health center (CHC). Participants ranged in age from 1-18 years, diagnosed with overweight/obesity, and received MNT from a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) from January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021. Health outcomes measured were health goal achievement, BMI percentile, pre/post lipid panel, and A1C%. Show/no-show rates and demographic characteristics of gender, age, race, insurance, county, language, and ethnicity were also compared by the visit modality. Ten interviews in the qualitative analysis assessed patients’ viewpoints regarding the modality of visit. Results indicated no difference in health goal achievement, BMI percentile, lipid panels, A1C%, and show or no-show rates based on the modality of visit. The demographic characteristics of gender, race, county, language, and ethnicity had no significant association based on the modality of visit. However, there was a significant association of age (p = 0.008) and insurance status (p = 0.024) by modality. Themes from the interviews included benefits, barriers, preferences, and effectiveness. Benefits cited were interactivity, visualization, and lack of travel. The barriers identified were transportation and connectivity. Interviewees reported the most preferred and effective modality was the IP visit followed by the TV. Although, patients were willing to do any type of visit. TP and TV offer benefits to help increase access to care for patients in rural areas. Future studies should investigate these findings through several CHCs.
Suggested Citation
Muehleman, Valerie L., "Exploring the Health Outcomes and Patient’s Viewpoint of Pediatric Patients Receiving Medical Nutrition Therapy Visits with In-Person, Telephonic, and Tele-Video Modalities at a Rural Community Health Center" (2022). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1152.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1152