Virtual Nutrition Counseling

Advances in technology are contributing to the growing popularity of dietitians moving away from the traditional office counseling setting and toward telehealth and telenutrition services (Zanteson, 2014). Telehealth and telenutrition services are virtual forms of nutrition counseling which offer a convenient way to meet client needs. Many medical professionals are using virtual health services already, such as video conferencing, email, Internet counseling, and over smartphones. Dietitians have started to pick up on the trend in order to accommodate the needs of clients. In addition, these services are now officially recognized by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with formal definitions (Zanteson, 2014). According to the Academy, “telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health, and health administration” (Zanteson, 2014). Subsequently, “telenutrition involves interactive use, by a RD or RDN, of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to implement the Nutrition Care Process […] with patients or clients at a remote location, within the provisions of their state licensure as applicable” (Zanteson, 2014). The Academy also offers information for RDs about this area of practice if it is something they want to begin.

            There are many benefits of virtual nutrition counseling. Some clients may dislike the face-to-face interaction associated with counseling and be more inclined to choose a virtual option if available. Also, this form of counseling is convenient for travelling clients or those who have a difficult time attending meetings due to transportation troubles. Virtual counseling can be quick and efficient and potentially reach more individuals than the traditional setting would allow. It also gives a lot of flexibility to RDs as well as the potential of limiting office-space costs associated with a business. However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. Phone calls eliminate the ability of the RD to read nonverbal physical cues as well as maintain eye contact that is essential to building a trusting bond between the client and the dietitian. Therefore, virtual counseling is not suitable for all clients, such as patients with eating disorders, and needs to be determined on an individual basis (Zanteson, 2014). Some other challenges include cancellations, lack of insurance coverage for virtual sessions, and potential legal issues with HIPAA privacy and security (Zanteson, 2014). However, this area continues to be a growing trend and interested dietitians could benefit from implementing these services to their scope of practice.

-KC

Zanteson, L. (2014, April). Virtual nutrition counseling. Today’s Dietitian. (16)4, 42.