• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.310-315
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the level of awareness, comfort, and likelihood of liberalizing the hemodialysis diet in practicing renal registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN). SUBJECTS/METHODS: An original, cross-sectional survey was sent to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Renal Practice Group in May 2017, consisting primarily of renal dietitians. RESULTS: A total of 187 renal dietitians responded to the survey designed to assess their current practices regarding the renal diet for hemodialysis patients and how comfortable they would be liberalizing the current restrictions. On average, 16.3% of dietitians are extremely likely to liberalize the restrictions on various food groups including fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, and whole grains. CONCLUSIONS: RDN feel confident in their ability to interpret and apply evidence-based literature into practice, and they are moderately comfortable liberalizing the renal diet. The participants were generally more comfortable liberalizing the phosphorus restriction than the potassium restriction, and the sodium restriction remains important to control interdialytic weight gain and hypertension. Future research is needed to establish efficacy of a liberalized diet as well as interventions to help RDN feel more comfortable implementing a liberalization of the renal diet.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Competent renal dietitians are crucial for better patient compliance and clinical outcomes, specifically in critical settings. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an evidence-based course in renal dietetics for dietitians working in health care systems where dietetic specialization is absent. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifteen licensed dietitians working with hemodialysis patients in Lebanon were randomly recruited to participate in the course. The latter was developed by the study's primary investigator, according to evidence-based practice guidelines, and focused on all aspects of renal nutrition. Total course duration was 28 hours spread over a 2 month period. Dietitians' knowledge in renal nutrition was tested pre- and post-training through a 23-item questionnaire; the total score was expressed in percentage (< 60% score indicated insufficient knowledge). Paired-samples t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Overall knowledge of the dietitians significantly improved post-training and reached satisfactory levels (pre: $38.75{\pm}17.20%$, post: $62.08{\pm}21.85%$). Sub-analysis of the change in the knowledge showed significant and satisfactory improvement only in 3 topics: 1) correct body weight use in calculations, 2) energy estimation method and 3) phosphorus management. Knowledge in the fluid management significantly improved but did not achieve a satisfactory level. CONCLUSION: The course significantly improved dietitians' knowledge in renal nutrition. If adopted as part of the continuing education of dietitians in countries that lack dietetic specializations, it may serve the first step towards improving health care practice.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 2014

This study aims to determine the effect of a trained dedicated dietitian on clinical outcomes among Lebanese hemodialysis (HD) patients: and thus demonstrate a viable developing country model. This paper describes the study protocol and baseline data. The study was a multicenter randomized controlled trial with parallel-group design involving 12 HD units: assigned to cluster A (n = 6) or B (n = 6). A total of 570 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients in cluster A were randomly assigned as per dialysis shift to the following: Dedicated Dietitian (DD) (n = 133) and Existing Practice (EP) (n = 138) protocols. Cluster B patients (n = 299) received Trained Hospital Dietitian (THD) protocol. Dietitians of the DD and THD groups were trained by the research team on Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative nutrition guidelines. DD protocol included: individualized nutrition education for 2 hours/month/HD patient for 6 months focusing on renal osteodystrophy and using the Trans-theoretical theory for behavioral change. EP protocol included nutrition education given to patients by hospital dietitians who were blinded to the study. The THD protocol included nutrition education to patients given by hospital dietitian as per the training received but within hospital responsibilities, with no set educational protocol or tools. Baseline data revealed that 40% of patients were hyperphosphatemics (> 5.5 mg/dl) with low dietary adherence and knowledge of dietary P restriction in addition to inadequate daily protein intake ($58.86%{\pm}33.87%$ of needs) yet adequate dietary P intake ($795.52{\pm}366.94$ mg/day). Quality of life (QOL) ranged from 48-75% of full health. Baseline differences between the 3 groups revealed significant differences in serum P, malnutrition status, adherence to diet and P chelators and in 2 factors of the QOL: physical and social functioning. The data show room for improvement in the nutritional status of the patients. The NEMO trial may be able to demonstrate a better nutritional management of HD patients.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 1996

The purposes of this study were to analyze the performance in nutrition counseling service and to develop a desirable methodology for the nutrition counseling. Data were collected through a survey on satisfaction of 221 patients( 111 males and 110 females) in the nutrition counseling service conducted in seven general hospitals of over 450 beds in Seoul. The results are as follows Most(93.9%) of the respondents agreed on the necessity of nutrition counseling and 96.8% of them recognized the importance of the role of a therapeutic diet. The mean satisfaction ratings were 4.34/5.00 in the dietitian's customization, 4.19/5.00 in the overall nutrition counseling service, 3.90/5.00 in the detailed presentation of the menu, and 3.66/5.00 in the explanations of recipes for the food. Total mean satisfaction ratings were 38.57/55.00 for liver disease patients, 40.29/55.00 for hypertensives, 42.54/55.00 for renal disease patients, 43.28/55.00 for gastrointestinal disease patients, and 44.09/55.00 for diabetics.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the cost of nutrition counseling service at present and to suggest the guideline for the payment. Data were collected using questionnaires and the cost of counseling was expected by analyzing the time consumed and needed for nutrition counseling. The results were as follows; In the case of diabetes, mean time of nutrition counseling was 69.7$\pm$35.3min/case, but the dietitian asked 82.7$\pm$44.6min/case for counseling and in the cases of renal diseases, mean time of counseling was 64.3$\pm$24.1min/case and the time asked was 84.8$\pm$34.5min/case (P<001) It was found that time was not enough to educate or counsel the clients. The cost of counseling was not counted in 20.3% of the respondants and the mean nutrition counseling fee was 5,460.6$\pm$3,547.7won/case in in-patient. The group education fee was 6,168$\pm$2,813won/case. The estimations of the cost for nutrition counseling services using labor cost were 18,463.5won in case of diabetes and 18,463.5won/case for patients of renal disease and in group education 8,111.5won and 7,404.3won respectively.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 1980

A total of 35 hospitals throughout Korea were surveyed for the assessment of the educational function of dietitians. The current situation and the depth of practices were diagnosed in such areas as: 1. The continuing education for the hospital dietitians 2. The characteristics of patient consultation performed by the hospital dietitians 3. Systems and methods of patient instruction practiced by the dietitians, and 4. Prospectives in establishing the nutrition education center for the in-and out-patients. The major findings are: 1. Approximately half of the hospital dietitians feel positive about the practicality of their college education for the job. Extremely small number of them are on any kind of continuing education program 2) The monthly average of only 20 patients at one hospital receive diet consultation or nutrition education service from dietitians. The 50% of the consultation cases is taken up by the patients with diabetes and various circulartory diseases followed by the tube feedings, liver and renal diseases with less frequencies 3) Not even a single hospital has an office for the diet consultation and nutrition education for the in-or out-patients. Very few hospital dietetics have educational aids and/or any feedback system to evaluate the effect of the consultation. Charting is not practiced by most dietitians leaving no record of their contributions to the patient care. 4) Although the necessity of the nutrition education center in the hospital is strong1y recognized among dietitians the progress has been blocked by such obstacles as the poor system in the hospital administration in general, short in funds, lack of preparation in the dietetics and the lack of recognition both by the hospital administration and by the dietitian themselves.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.852-862
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• 2002

The purposes of this study were 1) to review the Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Act of the United States, 2) to introduce the efforts of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) to expand the Medicare coverage for MNT and 3) to provide information about the reimbursement under Medicare Part B for the cost of MNT. The MNT Act defined MNT services as “the nutritional diagnostic, therapeutic, and counseling services provided by a Registered Dietitian or nutritional professional for the purpose of managing diabetes or renal diseases”. Also, the MNT Act defined “conditions for coverage of MNT”, “limitations on coverage of MNT”, and “qualifications of MNT service provider”. To expand the coverage of Medicare to include MNT, the ADA realized the need for development of a protocol for MNT, as well as studies to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the MNT protocol developed. Therefore, the ADA supported the studies to develop a strong database of scientific investigations of nutritional services. Furthermore, the ADA needed credible data that could be used by Policy makers, so the ADA contracted with the Lewin Group to if out the study to gather the additional data needed to strengthen the ADA's position. In the report of the Lewin Group, which was entitled, “The Cost of Covering Medical Nutrition Therapy under Medicare : 1998 through 2004”, it was concluded, that if coverage for MNT in the Part B portion of Medicare had begun in 1998, by 2004, approximately $ 2.3 billion would have been saved through reduced hospital spending under Part A of Medicare ($ 1.2 billion) and reduced physician visits under Part B ($ 1.1 billion) Effective January 1 2002, the US Congress extended Medicare coverage to include MNT to beneficiaries with diabetes or renal diseases. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) established the duration and frequency for the MNT based on published reports or generally accepted protocols (for example, protocols suggested by the ADA). The number of hours covered by Medicare is 3 hours for the initial MNT and 2 hours for a follow-up MM. In 2002, a Medicare coverage policy was made to define the Physician's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 97802, 97803, and 97804 for MNT.