Question 3
Question 3
How will nutritional genomics potentially influence future interactions with clients or patients?
posted by Carrie Smith @ 3:02 PM
15 comments
ISU Dietetic Internship Journal Club
Objective: To become familiar with current scientific literature on a variety of nutrition topics and to gain experience in gathering, organizing, critically evaluating, presenting and facilitating group discussion of the literature and the implications to practice.
Monday, November 10, 2008
How will nutritional genomics potentially influence future interactions with clients or patients?
15 Comments:
As nutritional genomics advances, I think that interactions with clients and patients would increase. I think that clients would be more interested in their individual genetic make-up and what that means for them as an individual. I think that more explanations could be drawn from nutrigenomics and the clients may have a better understanding of their health and individuality, from the information gathered. I think that this is a whole new advancement in the world of nutrition and only time will tell what advances or flops this concept will have. It is very interesting to think more scientifically, combining information from genetics, nutrition, physiology, pathology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, miscomputation, sociology, ethics, and other disciplines.
Going back to what I commented on earlier, I think our role with our clients would be much more specific. We could spend time on the things that are going to most improve their lives based on what we know about their genotype. I also think a lot more people would be interested in what they can do nutritionally, knowing the genotype they have. This would possibly provide more business for us as RD's in the future.
I personally think that one of the hardest parts of a RDs job is getting people to change. If we could help a person find out in their early 20's that they will develop heart disease if they don't change their ways it would be easier for them to make changes then, rather than in their 50's. That is the main over-reaching goal I see for nutrigenomics, helping us help clients to see the real concrete reasons pertinent to them to make dietary changes.
Meredith,
I like the fact that you are being optimistic about nutrigenomics bringing more people to see a RD!! I think we are the best suited to counsel clients on what changes they need to make and why they need to make them.
I think we would be very busy if nutritional genomics took off! People already want to know what they can do nutritionally to prevent diseases. If clients discovered that they could make an appointment with a dietitian, and the dietitian could tell them exactly what to eat, what not to eat, how much to eat, etc, they would be very interested. It may be a challenge for some clients to change their ways on a dime. Overall, our counseling sessions would be very individualized.
Tori-
I really liked the point you made about helping clients find out they may develop a disease if they do not change now. This is what is amazing-and kind of scary!-about nutritional genomics. You're right, it may be very difficult for us as RDs to assist the client with the changes they need to make.
Brittney- I like what you said about us RD's becoming busier and having more one-on-one counseling sessions focusing on the individuals and what they can do nutritionally to prevent disease. I also think that we would be seeing more, younger clients, wanting to life longer and prevent future diseases. This topic is fascinating!
This is similar to question 1, in that we will be able to be more specific with our patients and clients, and hopefully more successful in treating and preventing disease. I almost hate to say it, but it will likely give us more clout, our words may have more meaning to patients when we have their genes to back us up. Actually, it is good to say it :) I think all RDs would love patients and clients to take their advice more seriously...doctors too?
Nutritional genomics will potentially allow RD's to speak to a client on a more personal level. Inside of telling them about general risk factors and approaches to preventing disease we could give them a personal consultation specifically related to factors found in their genetic strands. I think that will elevate the advice of RD's over "nutritionists" and allow clients to have even more confidence in RD's as the expert opinions on nutrition. It will be more personalized.
Emily,
I totally agree with you that being able to do this (give genetically based nutrition advice) will give us more "clout" with patients and even improve our status with other health care professionals.
It could influence our interactions with clients by allowing us to focus just on certain areas of their diet. Clients may want to focus on certain nutrients that the nutritional genomics test told them they need more of or how to avoid nutrients. I think that it would ultimately lead to more interaction with clients and stronger support that nutrition makes more of a difference in people’s lives.
Tori,
I like what you said about getting people to change earlier than later. If nutritional genomics can prove to people that if they change now they will avoid certain disease states later in life that would be a major breakthrough.
My first thought is, I hope people will finaly "get it". I think as professionals in the field our knowledge is going to be key. This is what we have all worked so hard for. Finally we will be able to get our clients to really listen and understand the importance of nutrition. My second thought is regarding insurance companies, what are they going to pay for, who will they cover? If there is possibility according to a person's genes they will develope a chronic disease, how much preventative care will impede the illness? I believe a lot of our focus will turn to preventative care instead of fixing the problem after the fact.
Susan
Mere,
I agree, knowing our clients genotype will help us to personalize their nutritional plan. Business will be booming and our message as an RD will hold more of an impact. I believe our services will be sought out.
Susan
Our patients/clients will probably have many questions regarding the new research coming into light to the general population. We will have to remind them that each person is different. I think this may be the most difficult concept to convey because people are looking for a quick fix and this new concept of nutritional genomics may be a guiding light for some people who believe they have found the answer to easy optimal health.
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