Telehealth reduces friction for dietitians, patients

For the registered dietitian, telehealth is a godsend

A nutrition consultation or follow-up over telephone or video is alluring because much of an RDs job doesn’t require fancy medical equipment; just the power of a brilliant RD with all the fixin’s he/she needs for a killer nutrition consultation: the diet history, an armful of strategic questions and a detailed account of the patient’s medical history.

The beauty behind telehealth in the world of dietetics is that it only reduces the pain for both the RD and the patient, yet it enhances the quality of the session. The patient or client can speak comfortably with the RD virtually, and the RD can return with her open-ended questions to extract more information from the person. It’s a win-win scenario.

Registered dietitians are less likely to be sidetracked by the same limitations that impact a medical doctor, but that does not undermine the value the RD can provide virtually to the patient or the client. The good news is that the demand is there. Millennials want to talk to Registered Dietitians virtually, and baby boomers are largely open minded about chatting with an RD via smartphone.

So, bear in mind, that the future looks bright in telehealth. It’s a robust change that is growing, and as a Registered Dietitian you shouldn’t ignore it because it allows you to spark a meaningful impact on your client’s lives through the proverbial, virtual screen. Which is why you got into this field anyway, right? To spark meaningful change in people’s lives through nutrition?

Dietitians On Demand is a nationwide staffing company for registered dietitians, specializing in short-term, temporary and permanent-hire positions in acute care, long term care and food service positions. Check out our job openings, or request your coverage today!