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Committee hears nominees on misinformation, access to dietitians and a possible licensure compact
Summary
Nominees told the Committee on Health that misinformation on social media and limited access to licensed dietitians are key patient-safety concerns; both said a multi-state licensure compact could expand access but needs careful review of standards.
At the Jan. 23 Committee on Health roundtable, both nominees for the Board of Dietetics and Nutrition identified two recurring challenges for district residents: limited access to licensed nutrition professionals and the spread of nutrition misinformation online.
Kayla Smith said limited reimbursement and workforce shortages push residents to unlicensed sources and produce what she called "0.5 truths," and she cautioned the committee that while "free speech is free speech," once unlicensed individuals begin selling products to residents there may be regulatory issues to explore. "However, once they start selling products to our residents, once they start, targeting our residents, we can maybe we could look into what that looks like regulation wise, and it may not be our board, but it may be the board of commerce," she said (verbatim as spoken).
Rachel Gebauer suggested public education and provider continuing education as mitigation strategies: "One thing that could be helpful is providing, you know, different education topics for for residents on how to be more critical of the data that they're receiving," she said. Both nominees also said a licensure compact could increase cross-jurisdictional access to dietitians but would require careful review of standards because neighboring states use different licensing approaches.
Committee members did not take action at the roundtable; the nominees' candidacies will be considered at the committee's next meeting.
