What nutrition-related assessment is within the role of the AEP?
According to The collaboration of Exercise Physiologists and Dietitians in Chronic Disease Management exercise physiologists are well within their scope of practice to ask general questions about what their clients eat, for example:
- Food choices: What foods do you enjoy eating? How do you decide what food to eat?
- Regular eating patterns: How often do you eat throughout the day? Do you skip meals?
- Core food groups: Do you eat foods from all of the food groups? Are there any that you avoid?
- History of dietitian collaboration: Have you seen a dietitian before?
The information gathered may help the AEP assess the client’s overall approach to health-related behaviours, determine safety for exercise and flag the need for including a dietitian in the multidisciplinary team.
How do you know if you are creeping out of scope?
Big question, but a good one!
For each AEP recognising the boundary of our scope is an ongoing and active practice- one which involves reflection, presence and an understanding of the system that we work in. Nutrition advice that is out of the AEP scope might look like:
- Giving advice that is aimed at improvement in chronic disease related health. For example, food advice to reduce blood glucose for a client with diabetes.
- Providing specific or detailed food recommendations, like a meal plan.
- Suggesting following a particular dietary pattern eg. low carb
- Nutrition advice is taking up a significant portion of your consultation time, or is a regular feature in your collaboration with a client.
- Calculating nutrient requirements and providing specific advice on how to meet those requirements.
What is some of the practical stuff to know about referring onward to a dietitian?
Developing your understanding of the skills, knowledge and competencies of dietitians generally, and specifically, those who practice in your area, places you well to refer a client on for dietetic services.
Offering a written referral directly to a dietitian, or via a GP, detailing any flags or areas for consideration is helpful.
You can find a dietitian in your area via the Find a dietitian search tool here.
The formal stuff. Where can you learn more about scope of practice for nutrition-related matters?
A joint statement between ESSA and Dietitians Australia (formally Dietitians Association Australia) lays out a model of collaboration for eating- and exercise-related behaviours for working with individuals with chronic disease: The collaboration of Exercise Physiologists and Dietitians in Chronic Disease Management.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists will be familiar with the AEP Scope of Practice which details our role in delivering exercise-based interventions.
Check out Protein essentials for AEPs now:
Presented by Evangeline Mouratidis APD AccSD
Marvellous macro or misguided myth?
ESSA Accredited 1 CPD point