As dietitians, we’re all in this profession for the same reason: to help people improve their health and well-being through nutrition. But what happens when a crucial part of the healthcare system is broken, and we’re unable to provide the care we know our patients need? That’s exactly what’s happening with the disconnect between public and private dietitians—and it’s leaving people in our communities, particularly older adults, without the follow-up care that could make all the difference.
A recent study, *Lost in Transition: Insights from a Retrospective Chart Audit on Nutrition Care Practices for Older Australians with Malnutrition Transitioning from Hospital to Home*, shines a light on just how serious this issue is. The findings are staggering: only 10% of older adults diagnosed with malnutrition had any nutrition care recommendations documented in their discharge summaries.
Let that sink in for a moment. Nine out of ten malnourished older adults were sent home from the hospital without a clear nutrition plan to help them continue their recovery.
The Glaring Gap in Care
It gets worse. Even when oral nutrition supplementation (ONS) was offered, only 34% of patients accepted the prescription. And only 23% of older adults followed up with a dietitian in the six months after discharge. This isn’t just a minor issue—it’s a massive gap in care that’s putting people at serious risk.
And here’s the frustrating part: this is just one example of where the public healthcare system is failing to properly connect patients with ongoing nutrition support. It’s not just older adults. People of all ages, with a range of health conditions, are leaving hospitals without being referred to private practice dietitians who can continue their care.
Why Is There a Disconnect?
This disconnect between public and private sectors is one of the most significant barriers to providing comprehensive, continuous nutrition care. Public hospital dietitians are often so focused on acute care that they overlook the vital role private practice dietitians play in ongoing patient management. We’ve all seen it happen—patients get discharged, and there’s no follow-up, no referral, no nutrition plan to help them stay healthy once they’re back home.
As private practice dietitians, we’re ready and able to step in and fill that gap. But how can we do that if we’re not even in the conversation? The truth is, we’re often left out of the loop, and it’s the patients who suffer as a result.
This Isn’t Just About Older Adults
What’s most frustrating is that this issue isn’t limited to older adults. People managing chronic diseases, recovering from surgery, or dealing with other complex health conditions are also being left behind. They’re not getting the follow-up care they need, and it’s leading to poorer health outcomes, unnecessary hospital readmissions, and a lower quality of life.
Imagine what would happen if there was better communication between hospital dietitians and those of us in private practice. Instead of patients being “lost in transition,” they’d have a seamless plan in place, with referrals to private dietitians who could provide the ongoing support they need to thrive at home. That’s the kind of collaboration that could make a real difference.
So, What’s the Solution?
The solution is simple: better collaboration. We need to start building stronger relationships between public health dietitians and private practice dietitians. This isn’t just about improving patient care (although that’s the most important factor). It’s also about creating better referral pathways and ensuring that we, as private practice dietitians, are seen as an essential part of the post-discharge care team.
It’s time to take action. We can’t wait for public health dietitians to reach out to us—we need to be proactive. By making connections with hospital dietitians, advocating for ourselves, and showing them the value we bring to the table, we can become part of the solution.
We need to remind them that private practice dietitians are the perfect partners to help manage post-discharge care, whether it’s malnutrition, chronic disease management, or recovery from surgery. We have the skills, the time, and the ability to provide personalised, ongoing nutrition care that makes a real difference in patients’ lives.
Overcoming Financial Barriers
Of course, there are financial barriers for some patients when it comes to accessing private dietetic care. But that doesn’t mean we should be excluded from the process. Many patients have access to My Aged Care funding or can afford private care, and we need to make sure hospital teams are aware of this. For those who can’t, we should be advocating for more flexible funding options to ensure that financial limitations don’t prevent people from getting the care they need.
A Call to Action for Private Practice Dietitians
If you’re a private practice dietitian, now is the time to step up. Let’s start reaching out to hospital dietitians and making it clear that we’re here to help. We need to advocate for ourselves and build those relationships, so we’re not just an afterthought in the discharge process. The more we can collaborate with the public sector, the more we can improve the health and well-being of people in our communities.
Want to learn how to build these relationships and grow your referral network? I can help. Through my business coaching, I work with private practice dietitians to create strategies that foster these important connections with public health dietitians. Together, we’ll explore ways to position yourself as a vital part of the patient care journey and grow your business while making a real impact.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re ready to take the next step and start bridging this gap, let’s connect. With the right approach, we can not only help patients get the follow-up care they deserve but also grow your practice in the process. Reach out today, and let’s start making a difference—together.
