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DIETITIAN
HIV AIDS Dietetic Practice Group: Then and Now
by Aimee Bert-Moreno, RD LD/N Chair,HIV/AIDS Dietetic Practice Group
Specialized practice groups have existed within the American Dietetic Association since the inception of the Association in 1918. Initially, they were formed to promote networking among the few dietitians who practiced in those days, but these groups developed into much more over the years. Dietetic Practice Groups (DPGs) now provide specialized educational opportunities for both members and other practitioners who may have an interest in the field. The groups develop public policy and legislative materials, collaborate with other similar-interest organizations, create practice guidelines and quality management materials to help practitioners provide high standards of care, and, most importantly, allow practitioners to focus on a specific area in order to attain advanced proficiency in their field.
The HIV AIDS DPG was developed in the mid 90s after numerous nutrition professionals began to encounter a phenomenon called wasting in their HIV-infected clients. Of course, we all knew that there had to be a mechanism to reverse this trend, thereby enabling the patient to live longer. Hence, our practice group began. Since then, we have created many opportunities for our members, but we have a long way to go. In a recent issue of Numedx, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Protocols were posted for all consumers and clinicians to review. We are proud that so many in the HIV community responded positively to these guidelines. It is a goal of the DPG to see that the guidelines become standard practice within all clinical settings, and to have a nutrition professional providing services. However, the goals of the DPG do not stop there, and that is where we need you, the readers of this journal, to help us advocate for more funding in nutrition support and research. Nutrition plays a crucial role in the health of an HIV-positive individual, and it is in the best interest of that individual to seek counseling from nutrition professionals who can take the necessary time to provide them with adequate education. We need research that tells "the hands of money" (ie, the government) that nutrition counseling improves quality of life, decreases side effects and the need for additional medication, and is more cost-effective than many medications prescribed to remedy the results of malnutrition.
There are many things you can do to help. Contact your Congressional representatives and advocate for additional funding for your Ryan White Grant. Ask your clinicians about the nutrition professionals working in your area who provide services, and if they don't have an answer, post a question on the DPG web site. Find out how your Ryan White Planning Council funds nutrition services in your area. Most importantly, contact the companies and government agencies conducting research, and encourage them to include nutritional parameters in their protocols.
As the Practice Group approaches its Spring Planning Session, we are looking to the future with great optimism. We want to see more people involved in the DPG. With this in mind, we plan on creating a special membership for non-nutrition-related clinicians and consumers, that will allow others to share the benefits that many of our members enjoy. These would include, but are not limited to, the Positive Communication Newsletter, our Electronic Mailing List, access to many extras on our web page, www.hivaidsdpg.org, and many more services. At the same time, we hope to use the strengths of additional membership to increase the awareness of the importance of nutrition in clinical care.
We invite you to visit our website to stay up to date on the activities of the DPG. The website will also provide the e-mail addresses of our committee chairs so that you can contact them if you have any questions.
We look forward to working with you in the future!
Aimee Bert-Moreno is a registered/licensed dietitian working at the HUG-Me and Teen Express Programs in Orlando, Florida. As the HUG-Me Title III dietitian, Aimee is part of a traveling medical team that focuses on treating the rural HIV communities; as the Teen Express dietitian, Aimee counsels teens that have been diagnosed with obesity, hyperlipidemia, or borderline diabetes. Her HIV community activities include holding various positions within the Orlando Planning Council and Consortia, where she authored/co-authored the standards of care for Nutrition Services, Food Services and Ambulatory Outpatient Medical Care. Aimee also serves as the nutrition liaison for Florida's AIDS Education and Training Center. Her past speaking engagements include the AIDS Nutrition Service Alliance, New York Nutritionists in AIDS Care, the US Conference on AIDS, and various Florida engagements. Aimee is also the Chair for the HIV/AIDS Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association.
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