Increasing dietetic referrals: Perceptions of general practitioners, practice nurses and dietitians

Abstract

Aim: To examine Australian private practice dietitians' relationships with general practitioners and practice nurses as a factor that influences dietetic referrals. Methods: Semistructured telephone interviews and an online survey were conducted with Australian private practice dietitians (n = 52 and n = 90, respectively) between April and May 2008. Semistructured questionnaires were conducted with general practitioners (n = 11) and practice nurses (n = 12) from the ‘GP Access’ Division of General Practice between March and July 2007. Results: General practitioners' relationships with dietitians were believed to be the primary influencing factor on referral, provided by 81% of survey dietitians and 25% of interview dietitians. The most common means of initially forming relationships with general practitioners were face‐to‐face introduction (48%) and introductory letters (37%). Patient feedback via letter, fax or email was the most popular method of maintaining relationships with general practitioners (77%). Meeting with general practitioners in person was believed to be the most effective activity in building relationships with general practitioners and increasing referral rates (42%). Referral was made easier for general practitioners by providing paper (37%) or electronic (19%) referral forms and contact details (19%). The majority of general practitioners and dietitians believed that the ‘Allied Health Services Under Medicare’ made it easier to refer to a dietitian. Conclusions: Dietetic referrals can be encouraged through good relationships between general practitioners, practice nurses and dietitians. Private practice dietitians would benefit from cultivating relationships with general practitioners and practice nurses through personal contact and providing good patient feedback.

Working profile of Australian private practice Accredited Practising Dietitians

“…15 However, similar response rates were observed in a recent survey of Australian private practice dietitians (12%) 16 and the 2010 DAA membership survey (16%). 14 The online survey was reasonably long, which has been shown to negatively influence the response rate of surveys.…”

Referrals to dietitians/nutritionists: A cross‐sectional analysis of Australian GP registrars’ clinical practice

“…Further education for GPs and registrars regarding the wide range of clinical conditions, including chronic diseases, which dietetic input can assist with, is warranted, with the aim of increasing appropriate referrals and improving health outcomes. From a dietetics perspective, not only is it important to establish strong relationships with referring GPs but to also recognise that, in the case of registrars, they are more likely to refer established patients with whom they have engaged with in practice. Effective multidisciplinary collaboration of GPs and dietitians/nutritionists is needed to facilitate appropriate referrals and further management.…”

‘Two working together is so much better than just one’: Professional support needs of primary healthcare dietitians

“…The dietetic literature did not explicitly allude to the benefits related to professional support, to the dietitian, of being part of a multidisciplinary PHC team or working collaboratively with other PHC professionals. However, being physically located within the PHC practice has been previously reported to improve communication and strengthen relationships between dietitians and other members of the PHC team . Furthermore, private practice dietitians working in Australian PHC thought that multidisciplinary team care could be strengthened to improve health care .…”

“…However, being physically located within the PHC practice has been previously reported to improve communication and strengthen relationships between dietitians and other members of the PHC team. 35,36 Furthermore, private practice dietitians working in Australian PHC thought that multidisciplinary team care could be strengthened to improve health care. 37 In addition, the professional support that comes from working in collaboration with other healthcare professionals has been widely acknowledged in the interprofessional literature.…”