Scope of Dietetic Practice Framework Committe (SODPFC) Spring 2006 Report

The Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework Committee (SODPFC), a new committee of the House of Delegates (HOD), provides oversight for the development, implementation, management, evaluation, education and updating on the use of the Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework. 

The committee’s program of work and progress to date is highlighted below:

1.     Develop a policy to establish a process of how and when advisory opinions will be issued by this committee.  Define issues that would go to the Advisory Committee.

Progress

  • Dialogued on best use of advisory opinions with scope of practice issues
  • Developed proposal for advisory opinion process
  • September 26, 2005, the HLT approved a new name for the committee - Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework Committee
  • Tracking member issues to evaluate need for advisory opinions

2.     Educate members on the importance, use, and applicability of the Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework to their specific areas of practice using a variety of media.

Progress

  • Plan to exhibit at 2006 PPW and present breakout session on “Minding Your Business” to highlight relationship of SODPF and legislative and regulatory issues
  • Developing ADA teleseminar on scope of practice with Professional Development team
  • Submitted article on scope framework for HOD House Calls (published 1/13/2006)
  • Received formal approval for a joint proposal with Quality Management Committee for 2006 FNCE educational session highlighting select Specialty Standards of Practice and SODPF
  • Review of ADA Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for RDs appeared in the summer 2005 DCE newsletter On the Cutting Edge
  • Newsletter articles on SODPF in fall 2005 CNM DPG newsletter; submitted articles on scope of practice to DNS and PNPG newsletters.  The Dietetic Technician DPG has also asked permission to reprint the CMN article in their newsletter.
  • Developed and submitted article on scope of practice for practice section of JADA
  • SODPF and all supporting materials and references can now be accessed on the ADA Web site under the practice tab
  • Developed contact list of potential speakers and basic outline to post on affiliate listserv to encourage Framework training sessions in state programs
  • Worked with staff to include information on Scope of Practice in ADA Times

3.     Educate on the interconnectedness of scope of dietetics practice framework with quality issues and licensure; encourage Dietetic Practice Groups (DPGs) to work with Quality Management Committee to establish standards of practice and standards of professional performance (generalist, specialist, and advanced) pertinent to their specific, unique areas of practice.

Progress

  • letter to ADA organizational units encouraging consistent use of “Definition of Terms”
  • Developed a review and approval process for definition of terms for HLT review and approval
  • Approved two new terms for the Definition of Terms:  Evidence-Based Dietetics Practice and Healthcare Quality; pending approval from HLT at this time
  • Met with DPG and PI Delegates at FNCE to encourage DPGs to consider developing specialty standards of practice and standards of professional performance
  • Committee member appointed to DNS and PNPG taskforces to establish specialty standards
  • Established seven subgroups to coordinate work of committee (Tracking Process, Advisory Opinion Process, Web site, Terms, Education – DPGs, Education – Publications, and Education – Meetings, Workshops, etc.)

4.     Define process for ensuring access and referral within the organization to professional resources that impact scope of dietetics practice issues (i.e. quality, regulatory agencies, and licensure).

Progress

  • Approved development of Internal Staff Taskforce composed of Practice; Quality; Nutrition Coverage, Services; CDR; CADE; Regulatory Affairs; State Government Affairs and General Counsel to respond to member SODPF-related inquiries in timely manner. To date the Internal Staff Task force has convened six times and responded to fifteen member inquiries (see attached overview of internal task force).
  • Developed triage process for categorizing questions that come forward
  • SODPF Committee evaluated and provided input on responses to all questions addressed by Internal Taskforce

5.     Establish process for tracking and responding to members’ questions (i.e. number and type of calls and resolution).

Progress

  • Developed and implemented tracking process for member SODPF-related inquiries (see attached summary of internal staff task force activity)
  • Sent letter to Internal Taskforce members encouraging including all scope related questions on tracking form to help direct needed education efforts

6.     Establish process to evaluate effectiveness of Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework

Progress

  • Developed member satisfaction survey for scope of practice question and response process    

For additional information on SODPFC activities please contact Diane Juskelis, Director, Practice at 312/899-4811.

2005-2006 Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework Committee Members
Janet Skates, MS, RD, LDN, CNSD, FADA
Sally Cohenour, MS, RD
Jackie Boucher, MS, RD, LD, CDE, BC-ADM
Julie Meddles, RD, LD
Marsha Schofield, MS, RD, LD
Sandra McNeil, MMA, RD, CDN, FADA
Staff Partners: Barbara Visocan and Lori Porter

Internal Staff Task Force Update

Overview of the Internal Task Force
The Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework Internal Task Force is a group of ADA staff, appointed by the CEO, who provide support to the Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework Committee (SODPFC) as appropriate.  The internal staff task force provides status reports (written or oral) at each Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework Committee meeting or conference call.  The committee consists of at least 1 staff person from each of the following Association staff teams: Practice; Quality Management; Nutrition Services, Coverage; Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE); State Government Relations, Regulatory Affairs, Governance and General Counsel.  The members of the task force are appointed by the CEO. The ADA Knowledge Center (KC) as well as the Ethics Committee is also utilized as resources when appropriate.  The task force conducts business via bi-weekly face-to-face-meetings and electronically to review member inquiries regarding scope of dietetics practice and provide responses. 

Response Process
The committee reviews and develops responses to member inquires regarding the Scope of Dietetics Practice providing a receipt of question response within two business days and a final written response generally within 10 – 15 business days, depending upon the question complexity.  Scopes of Dietetics Practice Framework Committee members also provide input to develop the most appropriate response to member inquires. 

Tracking Mechanism
A tracking mechanism has been developed to record all member inquiries including: the date the question is submitted and resolved; the source/referral process; the original question and type of issue; as well as the response including the author, who was consulted and the amount of time required developing a response. 

Internal Task Force Time Commitment
To date, the task force has conducted six, one hour meetings with representatives from each of the teams noted above to discuss member inquires and begin to develop responses (approximately 72 hours collectively); additionally, the committee has responded to fifteen member inquiries requiring an average of 9 hours of staff time per inquiry (a total of 207 hours of staff time).  A response template has been developed for future inquires to allow respective task force members to input information where applicable which should help to facilitate the response process.  The graph below summarizes total staff hours (meetings plus collective time for development of responses to member inquiries) for the first six months of functioning.

Future Direction
The task force continues to evolve with regards to processing and developing responses for member inquiries related to the scope of dietetics practice; the volume of inquiries will most likely increase as members become aware of this new member benefit through the Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework Committee’s efforts to educate members on the importance, use, and applicability of the Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework.  The resources required to fulfill and sustain this new member benefit will require on-going examination and assessment. 

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