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Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Report Spring 2006

Board Certification as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics
The CDR Specialty Certification Panel has been working with sports dietetics content experts over the past several months to conduct the practice audit, develop the examination content outline and write examination questions. The first examination will be administered on computer for a three-week window beginning in June 2006. Eligibility information and an examination application are available on CDR’s web site at www.cdrnet.org.

Board Certification as a Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition
The CDR Specialty Certification Panel has also been working with gerontological nutrition experts to develop the practice audit survey instrument. The practice audit survey instrument will be distributed to gerontological nutrition parishioners in May 2006. The first examination is targeted for administration in fall 2006.

New Assess & Learn Module
The former Self-Assessment Series for Dietetics Professionals modules are being transitioned to the online Assess and Learn Series, which will not only help practitioners identify their knowledge levels, but will also provide resources and instruction through explanatory materials linked to examination questions.

CDR is currently pilot-testing the first online module entitled Managing Type 2 Diabetes Using the Nutrition Care Process. This Assess and Learn module is designed to assess dietetics professionals’ ability to provide medical nutrition therapy to an adult with Type 2 Diabetes using the Nutrition Care Process. The first module will be available for sale in summer 2006. Purchasing information will be available on CDR’s web site at file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/creidy/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLKC36/www.cdrnet.org.

Entry-Level Dietetics Practice Audit
CDR conducts a survey of entry-level dietetics practice every five years. The results of this survey are used to update both the content outline for the entry-level registration examinations and the CADE dietetics education accreditation standards.

The dietetics practice audit survey was mailed to a random sample of 4,000 entry-level RDs and 930 entry-level DTRs registered within the past five years in May 2005. CDR’s Examination Panel used the results of this study to update the test specifications for the dietitian and dietetic technician entry-level registration examinations. The new test specifications are available on CDR’s web site at http://www.cdrnet.org/ under What’s New on the homepage. The new test specifications will be implemented in January 2007. Both study guides for the entry-level dietitian and dietetic technician examinations will be updated to reflect the revised test specifications. The new study guides will be available in fall 2006.

As in both the 1995 and 2000 studies, CDR is also conducting focus groups with employers of dietetics practitioners. An online bulletin board format is being used for the “focus groups” with the intent of including representation of broader geographic and practice area perspectives than was possible with the more conventional focus group approach. Practitioners have been requested to identify employers who may be willing to participate. CDR identified employers representing the following practice areas: healthcare, managed care, long term care, assisted living, hospice, community, government agency, food service, culinary, sports, wellness, fitness, business, industry, consulting, education and research. The focus groups ware being conducted in February/March 2006. Results of both the practice audit and employer focus groups will be published in Journal of the American Dietetic Association in Spring/Summer 2006.

Advanced Level Dietetics Practice Audit
The CDR Dietetics Practice Audit Committee is currently in the process of developing an Advanced Level Dietetics Practice Audit survey instrument. The survey will be distributed to registered dietitians identified by DPGs in summer 2006. The results of this audit will be used by the CDR to determine the next steps regarding the development of an advanced level certification program.

Proposal for the Development of a Certificate of Training for Preceptors
CDR has appointed a Preceptor Training Certificate Task Force to prepare a proposal for the development and implementation of an optional Preceptor Training Certificate program. The goal of this program will be to enhance the quality of future dietetics practitioners through the provision of a certificate of training for preceptors. It is anticipated that this program will be offered for continuing professional education credit to preceptors on a voluntary basis. The Task Force is currently conducting surveys of both faculty and preceptors in order to obtain input on the program design, content and delivery mode. The Task Force is charged to develop the course scope, content, learning objectives, delivery mode and cost. The Task Force recommendations will be sent to CDR for consideration at its Summer/Fall 2006 meeting. If CDR accepts the proposal, an implementation plan and timeline will be developed.

Certificates of Training in Weight Management
Since implementation of the Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management program in spring 2001 over 5,000 dietetics practitioners have participated in this program. Future programs are scheduled to be held in June 2006 in Savannah, Georgia; October 2006 in Kansas City; December 2006 in Plantation, Florida; March 2007 in Detroit/Troy, Michigan; May 2007 in Raleigh, North Carolina; July 2006 in Salt Lake City, UT; September 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Since implementation in September 2003 of the Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management program over 1,000 dietetics practitioners have participated in this certificate program. Future programs are tentatively scheduled for April in Anaheim, California; May in Burlington, Vermont; October in Kansas City, Kansas; May 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey; June 2007 in Portland, Oregon.

For additional information, please contact Christine Reidy, Senior Director, CDR at 800/877-1600 ext 4857.

Commission Members
Joyce Gilbert, PhD, RD, LD, Chair
Sara Long, PhD, RD, Vice-Chair
Kathleen Strasberg, MS, RPh, Public Representative
Marie Crawford,DTR, CCDCI, CDM, CFPP
Doris Derelian, PhD, JD, RD, FADA
Lois Hill, MS, RD, CSR, LD
Jeffrey Ketcham, MBA, RD
Janet Skates, MS, RD, LDN, CNSD, FADA
Jamie Stang, PhD, MPH, RD
Jody Vogelzang, PhD, RD, LD, CD, FADA

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