In response to those who think this blog is not going to be effective at lobbying for change, I have several questions:
1. Why, after decades of lobbying by dedicated and savvy individuals using “cold hard facts,” has the system remain unchanged?
2. Why does effective lobbying have to be limited to the use of "cold hard facts" i.e. is there not a place for personal stories alongside the "cold hard facts"?
3. Why are programs so averse to new funding models, multiple academic streams (one stream for dietetic students and one or more for other food/nutrition students), or other alternate approaches?
4. Why is Ontario one of the only provinces in Canada not to have an integrated model?
5. Why are the stories and experiences on this blog so threatening to some? Why have we waited so long to invite students to talk freely, albeit anonymously about their experiences?
6. Why is it so important to silence the stories that appear here or respond condescendingly to the storytellers by telling them to "do research on the problem" or "get a job" or "be grateful" or "think of the poor pre-med students" instead of actually doing something to change the system?
7. Who has the status quo been serving all these years?
18 comments:
Ontario does have an integrated model. Learn the facts first.
How many integrated vs. non-integrated spots are there in Ontario?
When was this program instituted?
What are the plans for expansion?
Who is managing this blog and why are you so angry?
The first commenter is correct about there being one program that is now integrated. It would be wonderful if the Ottawa program and the other three programs could be collaborating together for a province-wide integration. Good on you, Ottawa! You are showing us what is possible!
Hi,
The public health nutritionist program at University of Toronto is another integrated program. Slightly different but still an example of an Ontario program that could be followed.
A.B.
The U of T program is a Master's program, though. Just another hoop the students have to jump through - and even more expensive for them than the internship because they have to pay a tuition fee, as well.
Should entry-level dietetics require a masters degree? Some people think it should. What do you think? If that is the case, then maybe we should inform people of this reality ahead of them finishing their degree.
When I did my internship (my clinical rotations especially), I did not get the impression a masters degree was necessary. the research part could help with program planning and such, I guess, but straight up clinical practice not so much IMHO. Just my two cents.
Another thought crossing my mind: Is there a hierarchy within dietetics that says one area of practice is more legit than another?
It's a lovely thought to just increase the number of internship spots but where do you think you will find a job? Healthcare is not exactly bursting with money and creating a whole bunch of new RDs without any jobs for them is hardly a solution.
If you have issues (and clearly you do)- go to your Dean and Dietitians of Canada and present them in a calm, professional manner (less "victim" more "advocate"). This is your chance to make a positive difference in a system you clearly see as broken. These posts that are so emotional (blinking back the tears) only make you seem unstable and not ready to tackle the challenges of a competitive and clinically demanding career.
What is it about the way were are socialized that has resulted in us taking such an approach with all of this? I am a proud and dedicated dietetic educator and as I read the posts I leave with great sadness that this is what we have come to. Is there another way to collectively come together? Without having to hurt so many people (including yourselves) in such a process.
I encourage you to take a step back and remove your emotion for a brief moment to think of all the sides and then start thinking about possible solutions. Work together not against one another. It will not help you or anyone in the long term.
Just some thoughts of wisdom from someone who has dedicated a great part of her life and practice to dietetic interns and students.
While I agree that there are several approaches that could be taken to be "heard", and I am also an individual who has dedicated the better part of my life to practicing dietetics and educating students and interns, I applaud these students for advocating on their own behalf in a creative way. My sadness lies in knowing that for many years we have been unsuccessful in changing our system here in Ontario, when much of the rest of Canada has managed to, and this lack of change has had a lasting impact on our profession (for those who are successful as well as those who aren't).
With respect to jobs in Ontario, many are difficult to fill....check the DC website. Also, who says dietitians can only work in healthcare?
I agree there are plenty of jobs out there. We may (I should say will) even create some new jobs out there. Non traditional opportunities that will allow us to build who we are and the skills we do have. We are very diverse in our skill set and can do many different things out there.
I agree it is time for change. My hope is that as it takes place (and it will) that we collectively can get past all these strong negative feelings that are out there. So that they do not immerse the field and the profession. That is my hope.
Newton's Law of Motion:
"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."
There are a lot of jobs in Longterm Care... and there will only be more opening. Also, more R.D.'s are needed in business/industry roles. So there are a lot of jobs out there... so yes. I think we do need more internship placements.
Also, I think that this is great. Having a spot to talk about our feelings. I question whether those who are current dietetic educators even remember what it was like to go through this process? Or if it was even the same when they were in our "shoes".
Hi everyone,
As a dietetic educator I remember the entire undergraduate/internship experience. The great group I interned with, the amazing preceptors, the late nights, the dinners out to catch up with fellow interns, the hectic project deadlines, late subway/go train rides; my first chart note that I did by myself, going home and telling everyone about it (yes I did that too!).
I remember all of it ever so clearly. I can tell you there are many educators out there that do as well.
I think it probably was 'harder' in our shoes. This is not to diminish what those are experiencing to date. From my experience I had less flexibility in comparison to the learners today. We have come a long way (not that we don't have more to go). Let's just say the feedback I received as an intern makes Simon Cowell look like an angel. (LOL-- I had to make a joke to make all of you laugh just a bit).
But it is true. I don't hold any resentment or hard feelings. What kind of preceptor training was out there 23 years ago?
I left my internship with great friendships, great preceptors who are my colleagues today. Awesome experiences and great self respect. I was treated with great respect, compassion,empathy, and consideration.
Now in 2011, I enter my workplace everyday, whether I am working with a dietetic intern, an international trainees, undergrad student, a volunteer, a social work student, nursing student etc... I always remind myself: "how will I educate, understand, learn from and with my learners".
Maybe we should have a blog about that: how educators and students learn from each other? That is the great part of being an educator. Do you really think that I would know what a doodle is if I did not have interns? Or how to skype? I thought skype was some kind of new music group. (LOL---Yeah... thought that would make you laugh as well). P.S. --- I also learned that LOL is short for laughing out loud from an intern).
Okay that is all folks. I will leave you with that tonight and wish you all well.
There is a telling connection between the comment above that questions what it says about how dietitians/students have been socialized that this issue is being approached in this way and another that suggests students take more of an "advocate" rather than victim role.
It is telling that students have chosen to blog about their experiences anonymously. It has been commented on this blog, and has been said countless times before, this is not a new problem. Everyone knows the mismatch between the number of students being graduated from nutrition degrees and the number of internship positions is a problem. Students have complained about this before.
My question though, is how can we expect students, arguably the least powerful group involved in this process compared to DC, CDO, university faculty, DELFO, and individual coordinators, to become advocates? What about all the others who have not reached out to students, despite that they too know how problematic this is.
I would say that our dietetic 'leaders' have not lead the profession forward in this regard.
What this says about how we are socialized then it that as a profession, we fail to do a few things: 1) collaborate and communicate openly across strata of the profession (leaders, educators, students); 2) we don't promote an atmosphere where critical thinking may be taken for what it is, curiosity and questioning, rather than criticism.
I appreciate these last two comments.
I agree, with whoever posted at 9:31pm on March 29. It would be great if more educators were as open as you! We should open up communication between educators and students! This would be great!! However, I wonder how many educators would be willing to do this. The sense of power that is abused in educator to student interactions is a problem. Can that be overcome? I know I have experienced that a number of times both in my education and during my internship.
As for the next post, I agree with you as well. During my education and internship, and now in my short career as an R.D., I worry about being critical and speaking up. I always felt that I had to keep to myself about my worries, issues, concerns, etc. throughout the process of becoming an R.D. I worried about what my professors or supervisors would think of me if I voiced my opinion. I was worried about my success, and my quest to finish and "pass" my internship kept me silent.
OK. This post has been live for almost one week and none of the questions posed have been answered save for a cheeky correction on whether Ontario has an integrated model in existence.
So, thanks for that correction, but can anyone answer any of the questions listed. Anyone? The silence is deafening.
You know that is an interesting question.... why can't we answer those questions? Is it because it is too revealing about who we are as a profession?
To all of the unlucky students out in Ontario. Do not feel ashamed or bitter. YOu are amazing! People have just overlooked you! You will find your path. It is not going to be easy and so this is where the hard part comes. What support is out there to help you do this? If you have young adults going through this as a parent you can see how difficult this is for your children. Yes it is not a good system. I just hope that people figure out how to support change and make it transparent.
Post a Comment