Dietitians Improving Education and Training Standards - Thematic Network

The DIETS Thematic Network was established in October 2006 with the University of Plymouth as the coordinating institution. EFAD is a key partner in DIETS. 
The objectives of the DIETS Thematic Network are:

• To describe all areas of dietetic practice, education and training throughout Europe and develop the utilisation of ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) 
• To develop quality indicators, in particular in practice education
• To improve communications between educators and dietetic practitioners about practice competencies through the development of a dedicated website and associated databases
• To facilitate sharing of knowledge and disseminate research findings concerning practice education competencies 
• To develop the role of the dietitian in the promotion of nutritional health through embedding lifelong learning competencies in first cycle degrees
• To develop and promote education courses for dietitians and to publicise best practice 
• To contribute to the research capacity and capability of dietitians

In 2010 funding was obtained to support DIETS2 to September 2013.

DIETS2 Aims to:
1. create dietetic specific 2nd and 3rd cycle competence statements and encourage increased offer at postgraduate level
2. improve the educational/pedagogic quality and the diversity of dietetic practice placements
3. increase the understanding of dietitians of Life Long Learning and encourage greater engagement thereby
enhancing competence of dietitians
4. increase the use and application of ICT in education by dietitians
5. embed enquiry based approach to learning at 1st cycle degree
6. share innovations, inform other networks and contribute to improved healthcare in Europe

DIETS2 Objectives are to:
a) define and publish 2nd and 3rd level specific dietetic competences and a framework for their use (include ECTS)
b) produce pedagogic standards for dietetic placements and guidance for placement opportunities in non-clinical
areas
c) publish a ‘toolkit’ for LLL, a database of current education provision at 2nd and 3rd cycle and future needs
d) use social networking and other innovative ICT engage European dietitians and HEIs in use of e-learning, an ejournal
and other Network products
e) make available tools for enquiry learning and courses for first cycle dietetic students through use of technology
f) publish, disseminate and exploit the outcomes of the Network to benefit other healthcare professionals

By engaging the expertise of the DIETS2 Network partners and through innovative use of ICT (eg Facebook) HEIs will
enable dietetic students to learn about enquiry based learning, LLL and how to reach new environments to support
better nutrition. Then at PG level dietitians will have improved access to courses, work standards and the means to
record their progress towards supporting change in nutritional health. Methodical dissemination and exploitation will
benefit other healthcare professionals and support strategic goals for European health improvement.