Computer skills needed by entry-level clinical management and foodservice systems management dietitians

The purpose of this study was to determine current computer use, perceived skill levels and computer education and training of clinical and foodservice system management dietitians. A questionnaire was developed concerning type of computer education and training received and degree of skill level with various computer applications. After pilot testing, the questionnaire was mailed to random samples of 200 dietitians from the Management in Health Care Systems practice group and 200 dietitians from the Clinical Nutrition Management practice group of The American Dietetic Association. One hundred eighty-one usable surveys were received for a 45% return rate. The majority of respondents had a graduate degree (52%), obtained their registration through a dietetic internship (74%), were both licensed and registered (59%), practiced in management (62%) and had worked 20+ years (72%). Eighty percent indicated use of a computer at home. The most frequent reason limiting computer applications at work were lack of time to learn on the job (67%) and cost (39%). Spearman Rho statistical analysis indicated that perceived skill levels of dietitians for selected computer applications was positively correlated to home computer use (r{dollar}sb{lcub}rm s{rcub}{dollar} = 0.91) and number of years worked (r{dollar}sb{lcub}rm s{rcub}{dollar} = 0.82). There was also a positive correlation (r{dollar}sb{lcub}rm s{rcub}{dollar} = 0.81) between number of beds at acute care facilities and the importance rating that dietitians attached to clinical nutrition software. These dietitians recommended required college classes and on the job training as the best methods for improving computer skills of current dietetic students.