Get on Board With Technology
By Vicki Hope, RD, LD
I am a newly credentialed RD, but
also a “career changer,” coming from a technology background. In my previous
career, I programmed back-office IBM mid-range systems (billing and
advertising) and traveled around the country training customers on new
software/hardware and writing documentation and creating ad/document layout and
designs. I think all of these skills help me in my new career as a RD, but in
my search for work, this does not seem to count for much. To me, this signals a
problem in the field of dietetics. We sure do not want to find out too late
that we need these skills, or we will find ourselves without a job.
I have a dream to have a private
practice in childhood weight management. I changed careers specifically to do
my part to slow/reverse the overweight/obesity trend in this country (or at
least my area). However, if I do not get on board with how children and their
families communicate now (online counseling, Skype™, and social media—blogs,
twitter, Pinterest, iPhone apps, etc), my counseling will appear
“old-fashioned” and unacceptable. It will become more difficult to keep my clients
engaged in their treatment. But how do we use new technology confidently, so
that we do not ruin a career in a matter of minutes by violating
confidentiality or some other legality? I think fear keeps many RDs from
jumping in.
In private or clinical practice,
continuity of care is critical. Communicating effectively and securely with
clients, clients’ physicians, or other health care team members must happen. If
e-mail software already exists that is secure, HIPAA compliant, I want to get
it, learn how to use it, and then use it. Also, before I make a big software
purchase for my business to keep my client information up to date, I want to learn
about other patient management software (dietetics specific or customizable to
dietetics) that integrates with other hospital/physician software. I think the
problem right now is that much of this new technology/software is in
development and not fully implemented, so it is difficult to decide when and where
to jump in and commit your time and money.
In the few years it took me to earn
my RD credentials, my skills in technology became somewhat dated. Changes in
technology seem to come every 3 years or sooner. If we, as a profession, do not
incorporate ongoing technology
education and integration into
our practice, I think we are done.
I think that technology is important
to RDs and not a waste of time, but when we talk about it, we need to use specifics.
Does an RD need to know how to program? Probably not, but that little bit of
HTML or XML does help with Web site development. Most RDs already are proficient
in basic e-mail, texting, and MS Office products (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint),
but what about contact software (constant contact) or social media? Each
hospital seems to use different software for their electronic medical records
(EMR), if they use EMR at all. What software do we need to learn? To me, the
key is building that relationship with the team leader—the physician—and working
with software that will facilitate improved communication and an improved
relationship, while at the same time maintaining the necessary security and
protection of client information.