Perception de la profession de diététistes et de ses enjeux par des diététistes et des
étudiants finissants en nutrition du Québec
Objectives. The main objective is to document, among university graduates in nutrition in Quebec, their professional motivations, their perception of the profession and its challenges and to compare these data with those obtained from dietitians. Methodology. An electronic survey was conducted among graduating nutrition students from three universities offering the program in Quebec. The questionnaire included 35 questions. Three of them were qualitative. Two questions referred to the critical incidents technique. For dietitians, data collected in 2009 by the OPDQ were used. Results. A total of 72 students completed the questionnaire and 597 dietitians had completed the survey of OPDQ. An interest in nutrition, health, food and the desire to help others are the main motivations for undertaking studies in nutrition and more than half express their intention to complete graduate studies in nutrition. A majority of them prefer to work with clients aged fewer than 65, which is of concern in view of the demographic context. Students have a rather positive perception of the profession and concerns similar to those of dietitians about issues that may affect the profession. Conclusion. This study reveals students’ profile, their motivations and perceptions of the profession. It stresses the importance of exposing students to workplaces as soon as possible in their school careers.
Nutrition Satisfaction Motivations Perception Students Diet Issues Quebec Education