Dietitan
A dietitian can also offer support when a patient faces changes to their needs such as when they have developed a food allergy or intolerance or when controlling diabetes and metabolic diseases and their symptoms.
Dietitians are important within the primary care team as they translate public health and scientific research into practical guidance. They provide a positive impact to patients through their promotion of good health and prevention of disease.
Dietitians in primary care work in 4 key main areas: diabetes, gastroenterology, frailty and weight management. It is not limited to these 4 – dietitians can usually help with any dietary-related condition.
Help they may provide on the day-to-day includes:
- Advising a patient/carer about nutrition
- Providing dietary advice and therapy
- Assess the patient’s current diet and introduce new ideas
Dietitians are people who:
- Have great communication skills to explain complex processes simply
- Possess high levels of empathy
- Are interested in continuous learning
Training to become a dietitian generally involves an approved degree in dietetics. A degree apprenticeship is another pathway as you earn as you study. Further training and specialisations are also available to the role, such as a focus on the elderly, cancer or diabetes.
