It is estimated that by 2020 nearly 160 million Americans will receive some form of care through telecommunications. Online dietitians are a part of this shift in care.
You might be used to meeting your healthcare providers in person, but technology has allowed amazing progression in telehealth!
What is an online dietitian or nutritionist?
Why see an online dietitian?
Where do I find an online dietitian?
What do dietitians specialize in?
What is the process when seeing a dietitian?
Do dietitians accept insurance?
Dietitian FAQ
Let’s dive in more to what that means FOR YOU.
What is an online dietitian or nutritionist?
The biggest question I get is “What’s the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?”
The term “nutritionist” is much less protected by law, and in many states, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist with no nutrition background or education. SCARY!
To become a registered dietitian in the United States, a person must:
- Receive a bachelor’s degree at an accredited university/college
- Complete coursework required and approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Get matched to an internship through an accredited program and fulfill 1200 hours of supervised practice
- Sit for & pass the national registration exam
- Earn 75 hours of continuing professional education every 5 years to maintain registration
- Some states require licensure or certification in addition to the national registration for dietitians to practice in that state
Most of the current telehealth services are centered around mental and behavioral health because these professions don’t require a physical examination.
Guess what? Dietitians don’t necessarily need to do a physical examination either!
Although a nutrition-focused physical exam has become part of our assessment, especially in clinical settings, it isn’t always necessary.
Even primary care physicians are beginning to utilize telehealth for follow-up appointments.
Online nutrition counseling is the same as in-person nutrition counseling, just carried out through a video conferencing platform.
So why see an online dietitian?
Specialization
Some virtual dietitians specialize in nearly every niche. You can find a dietitian that specializes in your area of concern without having to worry if they are located near you. If you have a specific condition, chronic disease, or just questions about general wellness, there’s a dietitian for that!
Save
Save on both time and money. No need to leave your house – have your appointment without worrying about time wasted spent sitting in traffic. No worries about the cost of gas, public transportation, or parking either!
Access
Telehealth helps improve healthcare access. Rural communities across the world lack access to even general physicians, let alone specialized care providers like dietitians. Those with disabilities can stay in their home and not worry about accessible transportation or offices. I don’t mind if you’re in your pajamas!
Flexibility
Have kids? Telehealth gets rid of the woes of packing up kids to leave the house or childcare required for appointments. Many virtual dietitians also have evening and weekend spots, allowing you to refrain from using your PTO. You can use a phone or computer and essentially connect with your dietitian from anywhere.
Results
Being able to maintain your scheduled appointments means you can better manage your condition and receive ongoing support from your dietitian. Gone are the days of having to reschedule last-minute due to car trouble, sick kids, or weather concerns.
Where do I find an online dietitian?
There are a few different avenues to finding a dietitian.
EatRightPro has a great resource where you can enter your zip code and find a registered dietitian in your area.
Your doctor may have a dietitian they often refer to, but be warned that dietitian may not specialize in your specific area of concern.
On your own, you can start looking for a dietitian with knowledge of your situation by googling:
- “dietitian [your state] [area of concern]”
- “online dietitian [area of concern]”
- “virtual dietitian [area of concern]”
Healthprofs and Yelp are two other resources where you can search for dietitians in your geographical area.
Many specialties have websites that aggregate contact information for health professionals that specialize in that area.
One example is the Association for Size Diversity and Health’s page that allows visitors to search for a provider that utilizes a Health At Every Size® (HAES®) approach.
So what exactly do online dietitians specialize in?
EVERYTHING! There are dietitians specific to almost every concern, including:
- Eating disorders
- Disordered eating
- Pediatric nutrition
- Prenatal nutrition
- Postnatal nutrition
- Digestive disorders (IBS, Crohn disease, Ulcerative colitis, Short bowel syndrome, Diverticulitis, and more)
- Diabetes (Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, gestational diabetes, or LADA)
- Kidney Disease
- Celiac Disease
- Nutrition with food allergies
- Vegetarian/Vegan nutrition
- PCOS
- Geriatric nutrition
- Cardiovascular health
- Collegiate athletes
- Professional athletes
- Oncology
- Tube feeding (enteral nutrition)
What is the process when seeing an online dietitian?
Dietitians are taught to follow the Nutrition Care Process, which involves 4 steps: assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring and evaluation.
1. Assessment
Typically, your initial session will be more of an assessment where your dietitian will get to know you as a person, your nutrition and health background, what your current habits are, and what nutrition concerns and goals you have. I would say, on average, initial sessions last 1-1.5 hours.
2. Diagnosis
You probably won’t ever know your specific diagnosis, (and it’s not super relevant that you do) though you may have a good idea. Examples of diagnoses are “disordered eating patterns”, “inadequate potassium intake”, or “swallowing difficulty”.
3. Intervention
This is when your dietitian will help you to determine what your priorities are, establish realistic goals, and develop a plan to meet those goals.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation
This is where dietitians provide ongoing care, A.K.A. follow-ups! Follow up sessions vary, and are based on several factors, but average 30 to 60 minutes.
Do online dietitians accept insurance?
Some dietitians are credentialed with insurance companies and can bill insurance directly. Others are considered out-of-network with insurance companies but will provide a “superbill” (essentially a receipt) that you can submit to insurance for possible reimbursement or to be applied toward your deductible.
Many insurance companies only cover visits with dietitians for specific diseases (like kidney disease or diabetes). Other insurance plans will allow a set number of visits per year with a dietitian, often as “preventive” healthcare.
Because so many nutrition concerns are not covered by insurance, many dietitians do not accept insurance.
Online Dietitian FAQ’s
Can dietitians diagnose?
Yes, dietitians can diagnose nutrition problems. Nutrition diagnoses may be related to nutrient intake, a function of the gastrointestinal tract, food access, and more. Dietitians cannot diagnose medical problems – nor do you want us to!
Can dietitians prescribe (diets, supplements, medications)?
Yes and no. It depends on the state in which the dietitian is licensed or certified and what that state’s rules and regulations are. Depending on the state and healthcare setting, dietitians may be able to order or prescribe therapeutic diets or supplements without first requiring physician approval. Dietitians cannot prescribe prescription medications.
Can dietitians recommend supplements?
Yes! As part of your assessment, your dietitian will help to determine any deficiencies in your diet and will use recent lab results to help determine other deficiencies. Your dietitian will help decide if supplements are necessary for you, and if so, which ones you may need.
SOURCES:
Veggie Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Tahini Drizzle