Dietitians' experiences of nutrition assessment via TeleNutrition: “Video-calls are better than phone-calls, but it's probably difficult for patients to show their ankles on the screen”

Abstract

Background & Aims: Nutrition assessment is integral to dietetic practice. TeleNutrition enabled dietitians to continue nutrition care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic but created challenges with undertaking nutrition assessment. The aim of the present study was to describe how dietitians in three Nordic countries perceived their nutrition assessment practice when physically distant from patients.<p> <p>Methods: The present study is a sub-analysis from one research project undertaken by the Global TeleNutrition Consortium, GTNC. Data was generated from a digital survey of a convenience sample of dietitians in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden who had a mini mum of one adult patient interaction per week, distributed through the dietetic professional and/or regulatory bodies of each country, as well as closed social networks. Data from free-text questions were assessed using thematic analysis where the construction of final themes were guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).