Working as a registered dietitian in America: Similarities, differences, and take-home lessons for Australian dietitians

Background: Despite very similar training, most overseas qualified dietitians are not able to gain registration to practice in the USA. This makes collaboration and skill sharing difficult, as there is a lack of opportunity to see the advantages in practice each country offers.

Aim: To share personal experience working as a registered dietitian in a high acuity tertiary teaching hospital in California and to prompt discussion for changes in some aspects of dietetic training and practice in both Australia and America.

Methods: Drawing on over two years of personal experience working in the USA, from gaining registration to working as a registered dietitian, this work will share similarities and differences between practice in both countries, including registration, student training and clinical practice.

Results: The registration exam took the onus off educators and supervisors and placed it back on the student to show necessary knowledge for practice. Taking more of a consultant approach to dietetic care, dietitians were extremely knowledgeable and highly respected members of the health care team. Dietetic assistants allow for greater workforce flexibility. Student placement experience was longer, offered at the completion of academic learning, and with greater autonomy.

Conclusion: As an experienced Australian clinician, working in the USA has challenged some aspects of my usual practice for the better, notably taking a more consultative approach. By working together, dietitians from both countries can share knowledge and experience to improve practice. Collaborative research to quantitatively and qualitatively measure differences is warranted.