Analysis of the registered dietitian competence assessment examination during 2017-2021 in China / 中华临床营养杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the competence assessment examinations of registered dietitians in China during 2017-2021 to inform the training of dietetic professionals.Methods:A systematic review was conducted about the composition and changing trends of examination participants during 2017-2021. Participants were divided into subgroups based on gender, age, education, professional background and affiliations and the qualification rate was compared across different subgroups.Results:The number of examination participants showed an increasing trend overall, with the majority being females and aged 26-35 years. The ratio of participants with bachelor's: master's: doctor's degree was about 15: 9: 1. The proportion of participants majoring in nutrition science decreased from 32.1% to 20.3%, while that of participants majoring in other medical and food sciences increased. Among participants from healthcare institutions, a decreasing proportion of participants were with a major in nutrition science, while this proportion among participants from companies were stable at 38.8% to 50.2%. The average qualification rate was 35.7%, showing no significant differences among different gender and age groups. But the qualification rate varied significantly across subgroups with different education level, professional background, and affiliations ( P < 0.05). Subgroups with more advanced degrees showed higher qualification rate and the best rate was observed in the subgroups with professional background in nutrition science and from nutrition-related institutions. Conclusion:The training of dietetic professionals in China should be improved, lifelong learning should be promoted in nutrition practitioners, and the sustainable development of dietitians should be impelled.