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Optimising Metabolic Health: Collaborating with Metabolic Dietitians in Primary Care (Copy)
Optimising Metabolic Health: Collaborating with Metabolic Dietitians in Primary Care (Copy)
Educational Activities (EA)
0.0
Reviewing Performance (RP)
2.5
Measuring Outcomes (MO)
Brief Overview
This educational activity is designed for General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, and Practice Managers to enhance their understanding of the vital role of Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) with expertise in metabolic health. The program will outline the scope of practice of metabolic dietitians, identify which patients benefit most from their expertise, clarify referral pathways, and explore strategies for seamless interdisciplinary collaboration to improve patient outcomes in complex metabolic conditions.
Program Details

This activity will:

  • Expand Knowledge: Deepen the understanding across the primary care team regarding the specialised role of metabolic dietitians and evidence-based dietary approaches for metabolic conditions.
  • Enhance Skills: Improve practical skills in identifying appropriate patients for referral, navigating funding pathways, and fostering effective communication within the interdisciplinary team.
  • Influence Attitudes: Promote a stronger appreciation for collaborative care, encourage proactive engagement with allied health professionals, and foster a more integrated approach to managing metabolic health challenges in primary care. 

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Program Outcome

Patients with metabolic conditions often require sophisticated, individualised dietary management that extends beyond general healthy eating advice. In primary care, GPs, Nurse Practitioners, and Practice Managers are at the frontline, but may lack a comprehensive understanding of the specialised expertise that Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) bring to complex metabolic cases. This activity addresses the need for the entire primary care team to: Better identify patients who would significantly benefit from metabolic dietetic intervention. Understand the specific services and outcomes metabolic dietitians provide, clarifying their unique role in the healthcare team. Navigate appropriate and efficient referral pathways, including funding mechanisms. Foster seamless communication and collaboration, ensuring integrated and effective patient care for chronic metabolic conditions. This ultimately leads to improved patient outcomes through more effective utilisation of allied health expertise.

By completing this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Identify Appropriate Patients: Recognize patients with metabolic conditions who require specialised input from a metabolic dietitian.
  • Describe Dietitian's Role: Articulate the specific scope of practice and value of metabolic dietitians in managing complex metabolic health challenges.
  • Navigate Referral Pathways: Confidently utilise relevant MBS items and other funding avenues to facilitate patient access to dietetic services.
  • Enhance Communication: Apply strategies for effective interdisciplinary communication and collaboration with metabolic dietitians, both for referrals and ongoing shared care.

Improve Practice Efficiency (for PMs/NPs): Understand how to streamline referral processes and integrate allied health services more effectively within the practice.

Empower Patients: Provide clear, consistent messages to patients about the benefits of dietetic consultation for metabolic health. 

This activity will employ a mix of interactive and practical learning methods suited for a mixed audience: Expert Presentations: Featuring a metabolic dietitian who will explain their role, case studies, and practical collaboration tips. Panel Discussion: With a GP, Nurse Practitioner, and Practice Manager to share their experiences and discuss optimal workflow. Interactive Case Studies: Group discussions on patient scenarios requiring interdisciplinary input, focusing on referral decisions and shared care. Q&A Session: Dedicated time for participants to ask practical questions about referrals, funding, and collaboration. Resource Pack: Providing referral templates, MBS fact sheets, and contact details for professional dietitian bodies. Role-Playing/Scenario-Based Exercises (optional): Practicing patient discussions about dietetics and referral.

The effectiveness of this program will be evaluated through: Post-activity feedback questionnaires: Collecting structured feedback on content relevance, clarity of presentations, effectiveness of interactive elements, and perceived impact on their clinical practice/workflow. This will include specific questions on how the activity will change their referral patterns or team communication. Short knowledge/confidence checks: Simple polls or questions throughout the session to gauge immediate understanding and changes in confidence regarding referral processes. Qualitative feedback: Open-ended questions will invite suggestions for improvement or additional topics relevant to their specific roles. All collected data will be systematically reviewed. Insights from this data will inform future iterations of the program, ensuring the content remains current, addresses the specific needs of GPs, Nurse Practitioners, and Practice Managers, and leads to tangible improvements in team-based care for metabolic health.
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6.5 Hours total Duration
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