Dietitians' perspectives on nutritional needs and inclusive software solutions for individuals with physical disabilities: a qualitative analysis.

PURPOSE: While nutrition software is commonly used to promote healthy eating, little is known about Registered Dietitian Nutritionists' (RDNs) perspectives on using such technologies for people with physical disabilities (PWPDs). Therefore, this study aims to explore RDNs' experiences and perceptions about the nutritional needs of PWPDs and the use of nutrition software to enhance their practice for PWPDs.

METHODS

Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted to elicit the professional experiences of RDNs providing dietary counseling for PWPDs. Interviews were conducted remotely via video conferencing in the U.S. between 2022 and 2023 and transcribed for thematic analysis. Two independent researchers coded the transcriptions by engaging in reflexivity.

RESULTS

Ten RDNs were interviewed, and recruitment continued until no new substantial themes were identified during the analysis. The main themes generated through analysis included (1) disability-related counseling challenges, (2) the need for personalized approaches, (3) current software limitations, (4) desired characteristics of nutrition software, and (5) the importance of enhanced communication channels. RDNs emphasized the need for disability-inclusive, accessible nutrition software with features like personalization, simplified energy calculations, and multi-method communication support to better serve PWPDs.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the critical need for developing disability-inclusive nutrition software to support personalized dietary counseling for PWPDs.