Integrative and functional medicine practice among New York state registered dietitians and registered dietitian nutritionists

The purpose of this study was to explore the percentage of New York State (NYS) registered dietitians/registered dietitian nutritionists (RD/RDNs) who are and who are not currently utilizing integrative and functional medicine (IFM) in their dietetics practice. Furthermore, the study explored which IFM therapeutic modalities are being recommended by NYS RD/RDNs in current practice and what informational sources those who are currently practicing IFM are using. Additionally, the study aimed to identify RD/RDN-perceived barriers to adopting IFM into dietetics practice. A total of 41 NYS RD/RDNs completed this survey using a researcher-developed questionnaire. Subjects were contacted via the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NYSAND) and Western New York Dietetic Association (WNYDA) listserve and were provided with an email embedded link to the questionnaire via Survey Monkey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results of the questionnaire. Results showed that the majority of respondents use IFM to varying degrees while mostly utilizing nutrition supplements and/or minerals and therapeutic elimination diets. The main reason for not using IFM was identified as not having received adequate training in IFM. Additionally, those that do practice IFM received training mostly from either dietetic program courses or not at all. Their information sources included peer reviewed journals, association websites and newsletters, and webinars/conference sessions. Most respondents did not believe that enough reliable information sources exist for IFM. Respondents also showed the most interest in increased information for nutrition supplements and/or minerals, botanical medicine, and nutritional genomics.