Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37081558›Full record

ArticleJournal of eating disorders2023

Exploring the eating disorder curricula of accredited university dietetic programs in Australia and New Zealand.

Elizabeth Kumiko Parker, Mellisa Anne Ashley, Deanne Maree Harris, Anita Stefoska-Needham

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of eating disorders, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
1.9field-weighted citation impact, top 15% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 6 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Essential Training for an Essential Role: Dietitians and Eating Disorder Care.European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association · 2026
    Article
  2. Private Practice Dietetics Workforce Development: Experiences and Perceptions of Australian Academic Educators.Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association · 2025
    Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Elizabeth Kumiko ParkerDepartment of Dietetics and Nutrition, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia. Elizabeth.Parker@health.nsw.gov.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4299-6091
Mellisa Anne AshleyDepartment of Dietetics and Nutrition, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
Deanne Maree HarrisDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, Tamworth, NSW, 2340, Australia.
Anita Stefoska-NeedhamNutrition and Dietetics, School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Health Impacts Research Centre, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7114-1634
New South Wales Department of Health · AUTamworth Hospital · AUUniversity of Wollongong · AUWestmead Hospital · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDietitians are viewed as integral members of the multidisciplinary treatment team for people with eating disorders (EDs). However, low levels of perceived confidence, competence, and willingness to practice in this clinical area, have been reported by dietitians and student dietitians. As the extent of ED-specific knowledge and skills-based training within tertiary accredited dietetic programs is currently unknown, this research aimed to: (1) obtain insights into the current ED-specific knowledge base and training content of dietetic curricula in both Australian and New Zealand universities; (2) understand the perspectives of course convenors regarding the role of dietitians in ED treatment and their employment opportunities; and (3) identify gaps and opportunities for improving university programs and the dietetic workforce.

methodsCourse convenors (or their nominated representative) of Australian and New Zealand accredited dietetic programs were invited to participate in a semi-structured virtual interview. A purpose-built question guide was developed to explore the inclusion and/or integration of ED-specific content into the curricula, and the perspectives of course convenors toward the role of dietitians in the treatment of EDs, and their employment opportunities. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed qualitatively using inductive thematic analysis.

resultsThirteen participants who represented 14 universities and 19 individual accredited dietetic programs, were interviewed, with some participants representing more than one university. Three dominant themes emerged: (1) varying ED-specific content and training in dietetic programs; (2) unclear dietitian's role in the treatment of EDs, and (3) contrasting views regarding ED clinical practice and employment.

conclusionsED-specific content was embedded within all the dietetic programs investigated in this study. However, this content was generally limited to an introductory level, with notable variations found between the depth of content and the type of training provided. Risk-mitigation skill development, such as screening for EDs, and early identification of symptoms, also varied between programs. Therefore, it is recommended that ED-specific skill development and knowledge is enhanced within Australian and New Zealand university programs, to support effective, safe, and timely care for people with EDs. This research has implications for current and future university dietetic program development and the broader dietetic workforce.

Indexed as

DietitianEating disordersEducationTraining

Identifiers

PMID37081558
PMCPMC10116702
OpenAlexW4366588758

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.