Importance of selected competencies/responsibilities for hospital food and nutrition services department directors as perceived by current dietetic program directors, hospital food and nutrition services directors, and hospital administrators.

摘要

A 39-item questionnaire, developed by Sames, was distributed to dietetic program directors listed in the 2002--2003 Directory of Dietetic Programs to ascertain perceived level of importance of selected competencies and degree to which registered dietitians (RDs) as food and nutrition services (FNS) directors possess these competencies. Responses from FNS directors and administrators in a previous study by Sames were compared to those of dietetic program directors. Program directors rated all but 2 statements as important or very important, with management, communication, and leadership rated highest. Program directors believed RDs as FNS directors have some competence or are competent to perform the majority of management tasks. Program directors who reported teaching management courses had the practice experience but not the educational background in this area. In general, program directors tended to rate statements as more important and RDs as less competent to perform management tasks than did FNS directors and administrators.