FROM: ELIZABETH HECK DATE: JANUARY 30, 2014 SUBJECT: WRITING STYLE AND TECHNIQUES OF PROFESSIONALISM IN DIETETICS
After interviewing Dr. Allisha Weeden who is a Registered Dietitian I have found that although the field of dietetics is a diverse profession, professional writing is important to all related jobs in this field and the ability to write to a variety of audiences is a key component. Background The field of dietetics consists of Registered Dietitians who are nutrition experts. They are usually part of a medical team working together for the specific needs of patients. Utilizing medical nutrition therapy, they work in hospitals, private practices, and other health-care facilities. They are also known to work in community and public health settings, along with conducting research. Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian 1. Obtain a bachelors degree and complete required coursework that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2. Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility 3. Pass a national exam and continue education requirements to maintain certification Writing Style and Location of Articles There are many different types of writing in this field but the majority of the writing is in the form of patient/public education handouts and professional writing such as grant proposals and research articles. Some good examples of writings targeting the general public can be found on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Mayo Clinic websites. Many dietitians are now also starting blogs to help share information with the public. As for professional writing, the Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is an excellent source. Most of the articles published are written by dietitians. English 3307 Class 2 January 30, 2014 Important Characteristics It is essential to have the ability to write the level of understanding for the general public, other healthcare professionals, and other dietitians. Express ideas clearly and concisely to the variety of audiences, especially the public Legitimate references indicate whether the writing is valid Findings After reading articles from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Mayo Clinic, and blogs written by dietitians, I have found that although they are different sources they all had the following major similarities: The articles were easy to follow along with their use of simple language and definitions Gave clear tips/steps on how to achieve the recommendations they provided Presented cited references
I reviewed two journals, one of which discussed interventions with vitamins B6, B12, and C in pregnancy and one that discussed mineral deficiencies in young adults. They both provided interesting, in depth information which I found useful because I did not have prior knowledge of this material. I found that these journals were unlike the previous articles that I reviewed. They followed a strict format of abstracts, methods, results, and conclusions. They were lengthy and although they gave some background information, it would be somewhat difficult for the general public to understand the material and complex charts and tables. They did have extensive amounts of references but these articles were written for other professionals rather than the public. Conclusions After my interview with Dr. Weeden and researching articles published in this field, I found that professional writing is required for the career in dietetics. Dietitians consult both the public and other professionals and need flexibility in their writing to convey their information to both audiences. Although my classmates fields may differ from mine, the ability to convey information to a variety of audiences is pertinent to many individuals.