Identification and evaluation of competencies of public health nutritionists

The Delphi Technique was used to elicit a number of essential competencies expected of the 'entry-level' public health nutritionist from members of Graduate Faculties of Programs in Public Health Nutrition. Questionnaires composed of 'compentency statements' were constructed from these responses and sent to practitioners in public health nutrition. The questionnaire requested evaluation of the 'necessity' of each competency. Responses served as the basis for 'factor analysis' procedures, employed to obtain clusters of competency functions expected of the nutritionist. From the 109 competency items originally identified, 17 competency scales were derived from the factor analysis. A ranking from both faculties and practitioners revealed that both groups highly rated competencies to communicate, to counsel and deal with clients/patients, and to interpret scientific data in 'lay language'. Less important in the ranking were competencies which dealt with administrative abilities, program planning, legislative activism, and consumer advocacy. These findings have implications for the practitioner in public health nutrition as well as for academic groups who must plan and evaluate curricula in public health nutrition and in other fields of public health.