Knowledge & action: Academic education and professionalization of dietitians in Germany

Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: May 27, 2014 | Revision accepted: February 24, 2015

Introduction

Although there have long been specific first degree courses in Germany for healthcare occupations in [pediatric] nursing, geriatric nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and midwifery, these have only just been started for dietitians [1, 2]. First degree courses for specific healthcare occupations not only lead to a first degree specific to this occupation, but also to formal registration.

For example, courses in basic nursing lead to official registration as nurse. There are also dual and additive courses, in which the education is either dovetailed with a course specific to an occupation (dual course), or in which a course specific to an occupation is added after the completion of occupational education (additive study course). There are now both dual and additive study course concepts for dietitians in Germany. Both of these conclude with a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics [1, 2]. Because of the current 1994 Law on Dietitians, undergraduate courses are not now possible in Germany, as § 4 Section 2 of this law lays down that education may only take place at “officially recognized schools”. However, this does not mean universities, but officially recognized schools for the occupational education of dietitians [3]. There are high hopes of the new academic education of dietitians, including facilitated recognition of occupational qualifications in other [European] countries and especially improvements in patient care [4].

Summary

In contrast to other countries, where dietitians have been trained in universities for years, academic education for dietitians has just started in Germany. Academic education is then often regarded as being of fundamental importance for the professionalization of dietitians in Germany. However, there has hardly been any scientific discussion within Germany of the professionalization of dietitians. By employing sociological approaches to professionalization, together with experience in the academic education of other healthcare professions in Germany, the present article discusses whether and to what extent academic education for dietitians can support the professionalization of dietitians and thus help to improve patient care. It can be concluded that academic education can make an important contribution towards the professionalization of dietitians and the care of patients and clients. However, it must be emphasized that an increase in academic knowledge alone will not lead to the professionalization of dietitians; dietitians’ performances are also of central importance.

Keywords: dietetics, professionalization, academic education, dietitians, healthcare professions 

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