Barriers and enablers to the implementation of national quality and safety standards within Australian private dietetics services

BACKGROUND: To explore barriers and enablers to implementing voluntary National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards in Australian private dietetics practice. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with private practice dietitians, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, were conducted. Transcripts were analysed using a deductive-inductive thematic analysis informed by the theory of planned behaviour, with member checking used to refine the themes. RESULTS: Sixteen dietitians completed an interview. Awareness of the standards was low, with weak social norms impeding implementation. Although some dietitians valued benchmarks, business systems, care quality and staff experiences, others questioned the need for formal standards for small practices, preferring to be guided by profession-specific codes of conduct. Barriers to implementing the standards included insufficient time, resources and knowledge, identifying key areas for future intervention. No participants planned to pursue formal accreditation; however, some intended to reference the standards informally to guide their improvements. CONCLUSIONS: Without mandatory use or strong incentives, dietitians are unlikely to formally adopt the national quality and safety standards despite acknowledging the potential benefits. Embedding quality concepts in pre- and post-credentialing education, strengthening financial and professional incentives, and providing implementation resources may foster uptake.