OMG...read this!!!

This is from another supporter.  There has been lots of support for the DTR, so don't give up.  Make your comments now!

From: DTP DPG [dtpdpgchair@gmail.com]

Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 11:32 PM

Subject: DTR Credentials

The Visioning Report Recommendations as provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have been sent to the members to review and provide feedback on prior to the House of Delegates meeting at FNCE.

Below is an excerpt from the Visioning Report.  We recommend you review the full report closely for details and rationale and also take note of the recommendations below.

We encourage you to pay particular attention to Recommendation #4.  See below for the recommendation and rationale.

Recommendation #4: Using a timeline defined by CDR, phase out the current DTR credential (see Appendix A, page 35).  Currently-credentialed DTR practitioners will continue to be supported and recertified. DT education programs will continue to exist to meet the needs of the workforce in their local communities, and encourage transfer options with 4-year institutions. Currently-credentialed DTRs will be provided guidance to achieve a baccalaureate degree necessary to meet eligibility requirements for the new examination and credential for DPD graduates, if desired. A plan will be created for all existing Dietetics Technician (DT) education programs and DTRs to promote the positive impact of this transition for increasing workforce growth and opportunities.

Rationale

The DTR registry peaked in 1998 at 5,662 and was at 4,634 on August 1, 2012 (33, 34). Training program numbers are small and dwindling, and the number now rests at 47 programs (25). As noted in Table 2 (page 13), there are currently more baccalaureate degree graduates who have met DPD requirements taking the DTR exam than DT graduates (33). As a result, there has been an increase in the percentage of DTRs who hold bachelor’s degrees, especially for those in their first 5 years of practice, among whom the percentage holding bachelor’s degrees increased from 24% in 2000 to 55% in 2011 (35). This is also consistent with projections that a bachelor’s degree will be required for 24% of all health care jobs in 2020, up from 21% in 2010 (23).

A continued decline in numbers of enrolled Dietetic Technician (DT) program students and graduates coupled with a lack of market demand and competition with baccalaureate degree graduates who have met DPD requirements—with and without a DTR credential—as well as Certified Dietary Managers are factors in moving the DTR credential into obsolescence (5). In 2011, forty-one percent of DTRs responding to a compensation and benefits survey were not working in dietetics and, among newly-credentialed DTRs not working in dietetics, 57% indicated it was because they could not find dietetics-related employment (22). This finding suggests that DTRs do not command workforce demand in the marketplace. The DTR is trained in food and nutrition to be an integral part of the health-care and foodservice management team. DTRs often partner with RDs to screen, evaluate, educate, manage, and monitor patients to prevent and treat chronic diseases. The credential was established in 1986 to fulfill a supportive role often working in coordination with the RD (5). However, a low level of DTR availability in the Southern states (and to some extent in the West) may have contributed to a failure to create many of the RD/DTR partnerships that were envisioned for the DTR credential (35). Most state licensure/recognition regulations don’t include DTRs because they are working under the supervision of the RD.

RDs and DTRs were surveyed regarding their perception of the value of the DTR credential in 2008. Among approximately 7,000 respondents, only 26% of RDs and 42% of DTRs reported that the credential has value in the marketplace (9). The role of the DTR in the profession has been discussed and was the topic of a House of Delegates Mega Issue in fall 2003. The 2005 Dietetics Education Task Force (5) recommended phasing out DT programs and the DTR credential while the Phase 2 Future Practice and Dietetics Education Task Force did not suggest a change in the DTR credential (1).

Please provide your comments or questions for this important Mega issue to your representatives below.  We NEED your FEEDBACK by Wednesday, September 26th as we, the House of Delegate representatives, need to summarize and report back to the HOD leaders.   

Thank you,

Vera Bartasavich BA, DTR, At Large Delegate for Academy HOD verabart@ameritech.net

Charlene Quinn BA, DTR, At Large Delegate for DTP DPG  charlenelquinn@hotmail.com

-or-  Academy Committee on Future Practice  FuturePractice@eatright.org