UK Dietitians’ views on communication skills for behaviour change: A 10 year follow‐up survey

• Published in: Journal of human nutrition and dietetics Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 112 - 123
• Main Authors: Whitehead, Kirsten, Parkin, Tracey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2022
• Subjects: behavior change; behaviour change; Communication; Communication skills; Cross-Sectional Studies; cross‐sectional survey; Data analysis; Dietetics; Dietitians; Female; females; Follow-Up Studies; health services; Humans; Nutritionists; Perception; Perceptions; Polls & surveys; Qualitative analysis; Registration; Skills; State Medicine; surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Training; United Kingdom; United Kingdom; United Kingdom > UK; cross-sectional survey; behaviour change; training; dietetics; communication skills
• ISSN: 0952-3871; 1365-277X; 1365-277X
• DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12903

Background In 2007, a survey of UK dietitians identified that dietitians were positive about the use of Communication Skills for Behaviour Change (CSBC) in practice, although barriers to the implementation of skills were acknowledged. This follow‐up survey aimed to explore current perceptions of CSBC and compare them with the previous survey. Methods A cross‐sectional online survey of British Dietetic Association (BDA) members’ views of CSBC was undertaken. The results for full members are presented. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively. Qualitative data were subject to either content, or inductive thematic analysis. Results A response rate of 9.4% (n = 729) was achieved. Respondents were predominately female (n = 684; 95.1%) and worked in the National Health Service (n = 634; 87.4%). They were positive about the importance of CSBC in practice (n = 714; 99.5%). Pre‐registration training had been completed by 346 respondents (48.7%). Post‐registration training had been undertaken by 520 (74.7%) respondents and 514 of these (99.6%) had implemented training into practice, with few barriers identified. Perception of ability to use skills had increased, with 513 (83.6%) respondents rating their skills as excellent/very good compared to 62% previously. The majority (n = 594; 93.7%) reported that post‐registration training was necessary, with the need for skills to be regularly reviewed (n = 456; 74.5%), and 235 (51.9%) respondents suggested this be mandatory. By contrast, some suggested that a skill review was not a priority, and would be difficult to administer and stressful. Conclusions Perception of the importance of CSBC remains high. Although the perceived ability to apply CSBC has increased, the perceived need for post‐registration training is high, with respondents’ favouring mandatory training. This online cross‐sectional survey of full British Dietetic Association members aimed to investigate their views on Communication Skills for Behaviour Change (CSBC) in dietetic practice and to compare the results to those using the same survey questions in 2007. The response rate was 9.4% (n = 729). Respondents were very positive about CSBC even considering that review of skills post‐registration could be mandatory, although some were anxious about having their skills reviewed. There were fewer barriers to implementing skills into practice than before.