Dietitian Program
Our Dietitian Program helps address gaps in service and overcome accessibility barriers for people who would otherwise miss out on one-on-one dietitian support. This web page includes program details, its evolution to address unmet needs, and its contribution to primary care.
Introducing the program
As a publicly funded non-profit, the Calgary West Central Primary Care Network, we develop and provide programs and services that support our community’s health at no cost to our patients and without duplicating other existing services.
So our Dietitian Program focuses its resources on providing one-on-one nutritional counselling for people:
- With health conditions that need more nutritional support than what is available from other organizations
- Without financial means to access a dietitian or coverage from other sources
Through the program, eligible individuals referred by the family doctors in our membership meet virtually with one of our dietitians (who we call Primary Care Registered Dietitians). Our dietitians provide expert nutritional guidance and practical advice so the individual can take control of their nutritional health.
Evolution of the program
Development
We are always listening to our members, and it was their feedback that led to the development of our Dietitian Program for their patients.
First through a survey and then in more in-depth interviews, doctors identified dietitian support as one of the top three requested additional PCN supports and the existing barriers and needs.
To aid program design, we recruited a three-doctor-strong working group and consulted:
- The public through the volunteers on our Patient Advisory Council
- Representatives from our clinical teams
- The Alberta Healthy Living Program, Health Link’s Dietitian Service, AHS Primary Care, and the Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network
Our efforts led to a focused program that complements existing services, includes doctor-informed referral criteria and program design, and the recruitment of personnel to run the program.
Program in action
In April 2024, we launched our Dietitian Program and began accepting referrals from our membership for:
- Gut health (IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease)
- Kidney health
- Liver health
Once referred to the program, we book eligible individuals a one-hour virtual appointment with one of our dietitians. In-person appointments are an option when necessary.
During this appointment, our dietitian learns about their new patient’s goals, existing knowledge, and the factors influencing their health and diet. The individual and dietitian work together to create a care plan so the person receives the most appropriate type of care:
- Continued one-on-one appointment(s) with the dietitian for expert guidance, advice, and nutritional counselling (follow-up appointments are 30 minutes)
- Referral to one of our Primary Care Registered Nurses who have training and experience in many areas that can support an individual’s health goals
- Referral to an AHS or community-based service
- Self-management resources
Family doctors are in the best position to know their patients and provide care over the long term. So our program sends updates back to the referring doctor to keep them informed about their patient.
The future
Nutrition and health are deeply connected. While our program is focused on six health conditions, we are always looking at ways to improve.
We have been monitoring and evaluating our Dietitian Program since it began and staying up to date on what is and is not available from other organizations. Our goal is to identify opportunities to support more individuals, based on available capacity and resources.
Program impact
In the program’s first 12 months, our two dietitians helped patients during 1,049 appointments. The most common reasons family doctors referred their patients to the program were:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (47.8 per cent)
- Liver health (13.3 per cent)
- Kidney health (11 per cent)
- Celiac disease (10.1 per cent)
Patients who responded to our post-appointment survey reported high levels of satisfaction with their care. They were also confident in their ability to take control of their nutritional health after the appointment.
rated their care as excellent or very good
strongly agreed or agreed they are better prepared to deal with daily challenges
strongly agreed or agreed they have the confidence and knowledge to make informed choices about their health