Physicians’ Perceptions Toward the Roles of Clinical Dietitians in Health Care Teams

This aim of this study was to explore physicians’ perceptions of the roles of clinical dietitians in health care teams across Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire on demographics, perceived roles, and competencies of clinical dietitians, and the importance of nutritional care was administered to 219 physicians. Overall, 61.2% of physicians expressed a positive perception toward the importance of clinical dietitians in health care. Physicians believe clinical dietitians’ roles include initiating therapeutic diets and nutritional support, designing meal plans, educating patients, obtaining diet histories, and modifying diets; while considering initiating/modifying diet orders, nutritional support, and laboratory orders without physician’s authorization as least important.