Journal article
Dietitians Role in Long-Term Care Homes: A Cross-Country Analysis of Legislation, Standards, Guidelines, and Role Statements
Health Policy , Vol.175, pp.1-18
2027
Abstract
Background
Dietitians play an important role in improving residents’ health and quality of life in long‑term care (LTC) homes. However, dietitians’ global role is not well understood.
Objective
To explore the role and involvement of dietitians in LTC homes globally, according to legislation, standards, guidelines and role statements.
Methods
A cross-sectional document and website analysis was conducted. Countries listed on international dietetic websites were included, with documents eligible if dietitians were referenced in legislation, guidelines, or standards, or if role statements focused on LTC homes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, qualitative content analysis and quantitative comparative analysis.
Results
Sixty-eight countries were identified, of which 37 (54%) had at least one document type. Role statements (n=28) were the most common type, followed by standards (n=10), legislation (n=8) and guidelines (n=6). Japan was the only country with all document types, followed by Australia, Türkiye and Northern Ireland with three. Fourteen core topic areas were identified; dietitian services, nutrition care plans, nutrition support, malnutrition screening/diagnosis, food provision, menus, foodservice management, mealtime experience/dining environment, multidisciplinary collaboration, staff training, compliance, developing documents, quality improvement projects and committee involvement.
Conclusion
Dietitian roles in LTC homes differ globally, reflecting variations in policy and practice. Many countries lack formal guidance, while others provide detailed frameworks. These disparities are shaped by demographic, cultural, systemic, economic and workforce factors that influence how LTC is structured. Stronger international coordination and national advocacy are needed to improve recognition of dietitians’ roles and guide future policy supporting high-quality resident nutrition care and foodservice systems.
Details
- Title
- Dietitians Role in Long-Term Care Homes: A Cross-Country Analysis of Legislation, Standards, Guidelines, and Role Statements
- Authors
- Karly Bartrim (Corresponding Author) - The University of QueenslandAmelia Messiter (Author) - The University of QueenslandNicole Barr (Author) - The University of QueenslandLauren Ball (Author) - The University of QueenslandDanielle Cave (Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastHannah Olufson (Author) - The University of QueenslandBreanna Lepre (Author) - The University of QueenslandMikaela Wheeler (Author) - The University of QueenslandAlice Pashley (Author) - University of Canberra
- Publication details
- Health Policy , Vol.175, pp.1-18
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
- Date published
- 2027
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.healthpol.2026.105776
- ISSN
- 1872-6054
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991266896302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
1 Record Views