Table 3 Dieticians’ reflections on practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among study participants (n = 371)
| Â | Frequency | Percent |
|---|---|---|
Have you used online platforms for counseling your patients in your dietetic practice? | ||
 No | 125 | 33.7 |
 Yes | 246 | 66.3 |
Type of platforms used (choose all that applies) | ||
 Zoom | 191 | 51.5 |
 MS Teams | 98 | 26.4 |
 WebEx | 33 | 8.9 |
 WhatsApp | 113 | 30.5 |
 Other | 19 | 5.1 |
How did you follow up on the anthropometric measurements of your patients while doing online counseling? | ||
 I did not follow up on the anthropometric measurements | 29 | 11.8 |
 Patients self-weighing | 148 | 60.2 |
 Using hospital/clinical machines | 67 | 28.0 |
What skills do you think you need to improve your dietetic practice during COVID-19? (More than one option can be selected) | ||
 Online counseling skills (engaging patients virtually) | 262 | 61.4 |
 Computer-based skills (Zoom, MS Teams, etc.) | 157 | 36.2 |
 Other | 15 | 3.5 |
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, what are the most challenging aspects for your work as a dietician? (Choose all that are applicable) | ||
 Maintaining work-life balance | 160 | 43.1 |
 Keeping positive energy | 147 | 39.6 |
 Face-to-face counseling | 147 | 39.6 |
 Seeing enough patients | 117 | 31.5 |
 Job security | 99 | 26.7 |
 Job satisfaction | 75 | 20.2 |
 No challenges | 45 | 12.1 |
Which statement accurately reflects the changes in the number of patients consulting with you during the COVID-19 pandemic? | ||
 The number of patients I am following decreased | 191 | 51.5 |
 The number of patients I am following increased | 97 | 26.1 |
 There is no change in the number of patients I am following | 83 | 22.4 |
During the COVID-19 pandemic, what type of patients are you seeing more as compared to before COVID-19 pandemic? | ||
 No change in the type of patients | 136 | 36.7 |
 Metabolic (Diabetes, CVD, HTN) | 85 | 22.9 |
 Weight loss | 71 | 19.1 |
 Eating disorders | 32 | 8.6 |
 Renal | 22 | 5.9 |
 Other | 25 | 6.7 |