American Dietetic Association: Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietitians (Competent, Proficient, and Expert) in Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders (DE and ED)

• Published in: Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2011-08, Vol.111 (8), p.1242-1249.e37
• Main Authors: Tholking, Mary M., MEd, RD, LD, Mellowspring, Amanda C., MS, RD, CEDRD, LD/N, Eberle, Suzanne Girard, MS, RD, CSSD, Lamb, Roberta Pearle, MPH, RD, LD, Myers, Eileen Stellefson, MPH, RD, LDN, FADA, Scribner, Christina, MS, RD, CSSD, Sloan, Reba Faye, MPH, RD, FAED, Wetherall, Karen Balnicki, MS, RD, LDN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Certification; Clinical Competence - standards; Dietetics; Dietetics - standards; Dietitians; Documents; Eating disorders; Feeding and Eating Disorders - therapy; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Humans; Internal Medicine; Nutrition Therapy - standards; Professional Competence - standards; Professional standards; Societies; United States; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0002-8223; 2212-2672; 1878-3570; 2212-2680
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2011.05.021

Tholking et al discuss American Dietetic Association's Standards of Practice (SOP) and Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) for Registered Dietitians (RDs) in Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders (DE and ED). The SOP and SOPP for registered dietitians (RDs) in DE and ED are complementary documents and are key resources for RDs at all knowledge and performance levels. These standards can and should be used by RDs in daily practice to consistently improve and appropriately demonstrate competency and value as providers of safe and effective treatment for persons with DE and ED. These standards also serve as a professional resource for self-evaluation and professional development for RDs specializing in DE and ED. Just as a professional's self-evaluation and continuing education process is an ongoing cycle, these standards are also a work in progress and will be reviewed and updated every 5 years. Current and future initiatives of ADA as well as advances in the treatment of persons with DE and ED will provide information to use in these updates and in further clarifying and documenting the specific roles and responsibilities of RDs at each level of practice. As a quality initiative of ADA and the BHN-DPG, these standards are an application of continuous quality improvement and represent an important collaborative endeavor.