Dietetics Workforce Demand Study Background

In September 2009, CDR appointed a Dietetics Workforce Demand Study Task Force to determine the future supply of and demand for dietetics practitioners.  During FY 2010 the Task Force was charged to: 

• Define a useful and appropriate study scope e.g., (RD, DTR, Board Certified Specialists)
• Determine a viable workforce  study methodology and timeline.
• Review relevant research data (e.g., population trends, dietetics practice trends) that may be helpful in better understanding the study's objectives and potential scope and methodology

The Task Force reviewed existing data (e.g., 2009 Compensation and Benefits Study, healthcare workforce literature), discussed relevant issues, and drafted study criteria.   The Task Force also met with representatives from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to obtain a better understanding of the methodology and assumptions used in its projections.  At its April 2010 meeting, the Task Force prepared a study methodology plan and timeline, beginning May 2010. 

• Task Force members (/whatsnew/taskforce%20members.cfm)
• Study Timeline Phase 1 Update (/pdfs/Dietetics%20Workforce%20Demand%20Study.pdf)

During the first phase in this multi-phase study the Workforce Demand Task Force will commission a series of technical papers to analyze and clarify important areas of interest for this research.  Dr. Judith Gilbride, Dr. Sara Parks and Dr. Rebecca Dowling have already completed  their work on the first technical  paper,   which  examines the options for defining practice sectors and defines a basic framework to use in segmenting and analyzing supply and demand.  This paper will serve as the basis for several additional papers.  Dr. Betsy Haughton and Dr. Jamie Stang have begun their work on the second technical paper to address the correlation of population risk factors and incidence (e.g., eco-social environmental influences), food policy, food programs, access to food,  obesity and co-morbidities)  with the existing RD and DTR workforce to identify gaps in the availability and distribution of dietetics practitioners.

Coming Soon! Dietetics Workforce Demand Study Thought Leaders meeting will be held on September 27, 2010. Check back  following this date  for highlights of the meeting.