What is a Dietitian / Dietician?

A dieitian is a university trained nutrition expert who is qualified to give nutition advice to a wide variety of patients from the chronically ill right through to elite athletes. The Dieitians Association of Australia (http://www.daa.asn.au/) is the governing body for Dietitians and once someone had met their high standards to qualify (which includes a minimum four years university, considerable practical experience as well as mentorship) and then further maintain those education levels every year, they can call themselves an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD).

An Accredited Sports Dieitian is someone who holds the title of Accredited Practising Dietitian, but has also completed further training in Sports Nutrition and must also then meet the standards of Sports Dietitians Australia (http://www.sportsdietitians.com.au/) to hold and maintain that title.

What is The Difference between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist?

Until recently, the term nutritionist held no real meaning at all, people who had done a weekend course in nutrition could literally call themselves a Nutritonist (as the term isn’t registered) and thus pass themselves off an as expert. Recently both the Dietitians Association of Australia as well as Nutrition Society of Australia have sets Standards for the titles of Accredited Nutritonist (DAA) and Registered Nutritionist (NSA). Both qualifications require university degrees although the NSA qualification allows people with non-nutritional related degrees to make up for this with minimal study and up to 5.5 years work expereince in nutrition).

According to the Dieticians Association of Australia, their Nutritionist qualification still recognises tertiary qualified persons with public and community health nutrition-related skills and experience, with one important difference, holders of the title don’t have to meet their individual or group dietary counselling criteria.

So one effectively could obtain a Nutritionist title without any scientific background or study (especially under the Nutrition Society of Australia), so if evidence-based, peer-reviewed counselling skills are important to you, consult an Accredited Practising Dietitian (or at least someone who has the qualifications and experience to be eligible, as some practitioners choose not to register for numerous reasons).

What does a Dietitian / Dietician do?

Like many professions, once a basic qualification is acquired, people then go on to specialise in different areas. Although not all dieticians will be experts in all areas, the training that dietitians undergo gives them experience and resources in a wide variety of areas from all range of healthy populations right through to numerous pathologies including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity as well as food allergies and intolerances.

Dietitians receiving training that allows them to assess and make recommendations on an individual’s diet as well as working with small and large groups in community health, food service and also spend considerable time in various hospital areas.

What is an Accredited Practising Dietitian?

As stated previously, the term Accredited Practising Dietitian is one endorsed by the Dietitians Association of Australia for university qualified persons who also meet a strict number of criteria in order to first gain and then maintain this important title. For full details of the program and criteria that one must meet after obtaining their university qualifications, visit http://daa.asn.au/for-health-professionals/apd-program/

Accredited Practising Dieticians are the only nutritional professionals universally recognised by Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs and most private health funds. Rebates are available for people using a DAA approved dietician under the supervision of the general practitionerEnhanced Care Plan targeted at treating chronic disease.

Unlike some Allied Health Professionals, a medical referral is NOT required when consulting an Accredited Practising Dietician.