TITLE:
Celiac Disease Knowledge and Practice of Dietitians in Rural New South Wales, Australia
AUTHORS:
Leah Goodyer, Leanne J. Brown, Elesa Crowley
KEYWORDS:
Celiac Disease, Dietitians, Diet Therapy, Evaluation, Rural Health
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.7 No.10,
August
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: This
study aimed to evaluate dietetic practices for patients with celiac disease and
knowledge of celiac disease amongst rural dietitians. This study comprised of
two parts: 1) a retrospective file audit of patients with celiac disease
attending a rural dietetic outpatient clinic in NSW, Australia from 2007 to
2014 and 2) a cross-sectional survey of 25 dietitians within a rural Local
Health District in NSW. Celiac disease related knowledge and diet therapy
practices were assessed. Data were reported using descriptive statistics. The
patient file audit (n = 17) indicated that the majority of patients (59%) had
no follow-up with a dietitian. Education topics provided by dietitians included
gluten-free food options (53%) and label reading (41%). Dietitians (n = 18, 72%
response rate) achieved a mean score of 73% (range 48% - 90%) for celiac
disease related food knowledge and 69% (range 50% - 90%) for screening and
diagnosis knowledge. Perceived barriers for compliance with a gluten-free diet
included limited access to dietitians, as well as limited availability and cost
of gluten-free products. Current practices of rural-based dietitians in NSW are
variable for patients with celiac disease, suggesting that evidence-based
guidelines and continuing education are needed for rural-based dietitians in
the specialized area of celiac disease.