Counselling skills for dietitians in action

Introduction

Who is the video for?

It is useful for:

• • practising dietitians;
• • student dietitians;
• • tutors and trainers;
• • other health professionals who give dietary advice.

What is it about?

The video demonstrates how counselling skills can be used in a dietetic interview and illustrates the counselling approach and counselling skills described in the book. The content has been made as realistic and general as possible.

The scenes are based around two dietetic consultations: a first appointment with a patient and a second some months later, following a new referral. Two contrasting approaches are shown: a traditional, prescriptive approach and a counselling approach. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages, as explained in the book. A skilled helper is one who is able to adapt appropriately and competently, depending on the needs of the patient.

The story

An overweight, diabetic patient is initially advised by a dietitian using a traditional prescriptive approach. Afterwards, while waiting for a lift home, the patient reflects on her experience. Meanwhile, the dietitian returns to the office at the end of her clinic and talks with a colleague.

Some months later, the same patient returns to the clinic, having been referred again, as she has not lost weight. Since the first consultation, the dietitian has done some training in counselling skills and now puts this into practice. After her appointment, the patient once again reflects on her experience, and the dietitian, back in the office, talks again with her colleague.

How can the video help me?

The video can help the viewer to compare and contrast the two approaches and identify the communication skills being demonstrated. Viewers are recommended to:

• • read Watching the Video before each scene;
• • study the scenes in order (and watch them as many times as you want);
• • consider your answers to the questions listed after each scene;
• • follow the references to the relevant chapters for further study;
• • engage with the exercises described in the relevant chapters of the book;
• • discuss the issues raised;
• • practice your skills with others.

Who made the video?

The video was made at the suggestion of readers of earlier editions of ‘Counselling Skills for Dietitians’ and is the creation of the authors, Judy Gable and Tamara Herrmann, who have drawn on their personal experiences as dietitians, patients, counsellors, clients and trainers of counselling skills. They have been helped in the process by writer, Jackie Kohnstamm, actor Diana Payan, film-maker Marcus Durham (Media2U), commissioning editor Madeleine Hurley, and sponsors Wiley-Blackwell and the Well Being Clinic, Oxford, who allowed the film to be made on their premises. In the video, Tamara is the dietitian, Judy is her colleague and Diana takes the role of the patient.

How long is the video?

The total length is approximately 37 minutes. It consists of seven scenes. The length of each scene is shown below. Scenes 1 and 5 (each in two parts of roughly equal length) are to be viewed as extracts from a consultation and are not intended to represent the full length. Scene 5 is longer, in order to show the dietitian demonstrating a wide range of skills.