The need for better nutritional care: Who’s responsible?

Two major factors seem to be contributing to the problem which underlies the need for better nutritional care to clients: clinical dietitians themselves and the system which supports them. It is felt, however, that the burden of responsibility for improvement weighs more heavily on the individual dietitian than on the system, because systems are composed of functionally related individuals working toward a common goal. Few would argue that the goal of the health care system is a positive state of well-being in the population it serves. Even fewer could argue with the primacy of effective nutritional care in the achievement of that goal. If, however, we want clinical dietitians to be more effective nutritional care in the achievement of the goal. If, however, we want clinical dietitians to be more effective in the future, they must be given the time, expertise, and responsibility to provide this improved nutritional care.