What Should You Ask Your Dietitian?

Ask questions — participate in decisions about your health care. Registered dietitians are highly-trained experts in nutrition health and they are qualified to help you eat better for improved health. They can also help treat nutrition-related diseases like hypertension, diabetes and celiac disease.

Still, you are the expert for your own body and have final say when it comes to accepting recommendations from a dietitian. This means you have the right to accept or refuse any nutrition treatment they recommend for you or a family member. So, ask questions and make sure you clarify all your concerns.

What should you ask about? To give knowledgeable and informed consent, ask questions like: What is the treatment plan? Are there possible alternatives? How long will it take? Are there any risks or possible side effects? Will someone else on the healthcare team be involved?

Registered dietitians are trained to listen to their clients, answer their questions and give them the details they need to make informed decisions before they proceed with any nutrition treatment. They are also trained to make sure that you always give informed consent for any nutrition care you receive.

Giving your informed consent means agreeing to a nutrition treatment plan with a full understanding of what is involved. This allows you to participate in the decisions affecting your health and your family’s health.

For more information about consent, click here to watch the video:

If ever you have questions about how your dietitian stays competent, feel free to ask her. You can also get more information about the Quality Assurance Program at www.collegeofdietitians.org