Workforce Advice in Nutrition & Dietetics

Who is conducting the research?
Dr Lana Mitchell, Program Director
School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Nutrition and Dietetics
Contact email: lana.mitchell@griffith.edu.au

Dr Roshan Rigby, Lecturer
School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Nutrition and Dietetics
Contact email: r.rigby@griffith.edu.au

Why is the research being conducted?
The role of a dietitian continues to rapidly expand and diversify into new practice areas.  The changing health and political landscape means that the dietetics profession must be responsive to meet the health needs of the community. Preparing our future workforce for this need is vital.

This research aims to explore dietitians’ advice regarding their current work roles to showcase the range of fantastic career opportunities that will help inspire emerging dietitians and enhance their career readiness.

What you will be asked to do
You will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey. The survey will take approx. 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey consists of 20 questions regarding your area of work, experience level, skills/traits useful in your role, challenges commonly experienced, and advice you wish you knew before commencing your dietetics career. At the completion of this survey, you will be given the opportunity to go in the draw to win a $50 gift card. Participants will also have the option to express interest in showcasing their role through a brief video which will be included in an online module. To maintain anonymity of survey responses, a separate survey link will be provided.

The basis by which participants will be selected or screened
Dietitians who are currently credentialled (Accredited Practising Dietitian / Registered Dietitian) who have used their dietetics qualification to work in any setting.

The expected benefits of the research
This research will be beneficial to emerging dietitians help inform future career planning. It will be useful to dietetics educators and inform the development of dietetics curricula.

Risks to you
There are no foreseeable risks in participation. Participation will take up to 10 minutes of your time.

Your confidentiality
This survey is anonymous. As required by Griffith University, all research data (survey responses) will be retained in a password-protected electronic file at Griffith University on the Griffith University Storage platform for a period of five years before being destroyed.

Your participation is voluntary
Your participation is voluntary. Your decision to participate or withdraw will in no way impact your relationship with the University. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time. Please note, once the survey is submitted, you will not be able to withdraw from the study as it is not possible to identify individual responses. 

Questions / further information
If you would like additional information regarding the project, please contact the Senior Investigator, Dr Lana Mitchell on 07 5678 7137 or lana.mitchell@griffith.edu.au

The ethical conduct of this research
This research has been approved by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (GU ref no: 2022/851). Griffith University conducts research in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). If you have any concerns or complaints about the ethical conduct of the research project, please contact the Manager, Research Ethics on (07) 3735 4375 or research-ethics@griffith.edu.au.

Feedback to you
This research will be submitted for publication in the dietetic literature, as well as for presentation at related conferences. Research results will be used to develop teaching modules for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics degree at Griffith University. Quotes will be unidentified. A plain language summary of results will be developed and made available to those who request the summary via email.

Expressing consent
Completion of the survey is implied consent. Please read the Participant Information on the first page of the survey, and if you consent to participate, continue to complete the survey.