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

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND: One previous study examined implementation of evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines (EBNPG). OBJECTIVES: To 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. METHODS: In this 2-year, quasi-experimental study, 19 RDNs providing outpatient medical nutrition therapy to adults with diabetes ( = 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. RESULTS: Most 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 ( = 19 RDNs, 519 encounters pre-training; = 14 RDNs, 204 encounters post-training; β = -0.06, SE = 0.04; 95% CI: -0.14, 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Most 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.

Publication Title

Frontiers in nutrition

Volume

9

First Page

969360

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3389/fnut.2022.969360

PubMed ID

36172522

ISSN

2296-861X

Language

eng

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