Registered dietitians on your care team

Registered dietitian Ava Safir and physician advocate Kim Downey discuss their article, "Why patients need a registered dietitian on their health care team." They highlight the often-overlooked yet crucial role registered dietitians play in improving patient health outcomes and supporting physicians. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, Ava and Kim explain how dietitians offer specialized, in-depth nutritional counseling that goes beyond the scope of typical medical appointments, addressing everything from chronic conditions to overall well-being. The conversation emphasizes the comprehensive approach of dietitians, who dedicate significant time to understanding patients' lifestyles, food psychology, and specific needs, thereby fostering sustainable dietary changes and myth-busting misinformation. They argue that integrating registered dietitians more actively into health care teams can lead to reduced medication reliance, better management of conditions like pre-diabetes and GI issues, and enhanced patient empowerment. The key takeaway is: Patients and health care providers alike should recognize registered dietitians as essential team members whose expertise in medical nutrition therapy can be a game-changer for achieving long-term health and quality of life. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise—and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended