To: Dietitian interest group lists, DAA CEO, and the DAA president
By: email
Subject: A suggestion for member-centred communication
To the DAA Board
Re: Member-centred communication: suggestions
for consideration by the Board
Members of DAA are concerned about the future
of the association and the profession of dietetics. It
is my understanding, and my personal experience, of years of 'issues' being
presented to DAA following the 'correct channels', has not in fact achieved its
objective.
In bringing the discussion to the interest groups (IG), members
are attempting to engage each other to table these issues, and discuss options.
And in fact, what this has done is demonstrated to members that there are
very important issues we should discuss with each other and then take a
'summary' to the Board.
The problem is there is currently no forum for
members to raise concerns freely, and have these open to comment across the
membership.
As a profession we subscribe to
patient-centred care as the cornerstone to effective treatment. One of
the philosophies of patient-centred care is to recognise the imbalance of power
between the health professional and the patient: to encourage the professional
to have empathy for and listen to the patient. Here I propose we transfer
that concept to the relationship between the DAA Board and the DAA Members.
Therefore, I present here two 'first steps'
for the DAA Board to consider in moving toward member-centred
communication to identify issues, explore options, and for members to make
recommendations to the Board.
a) Setting up an open discussion group named
'the future' or 'critical dietetics' or 'professional insight' for members to
have a forum for discussions on any topic at any time - this is where 'issues
for the Board' may be raised, discussed by all members, and then presented to
the board as a 'brief'
b) Dedicate part of the members section to a
'call for submissions' where all green papers are posted, and every response is
also posted, and the final report posted - similar to that of the set-up for
the National Food Plan http://www.daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan/national-food-plan
(notices of submissions being 'up for comment' could go via the suggested IG -
as well as the usual lines of communication).
I am available to 'work-up' these options
suggested here when required.
Claire, I was unable to find on the DAA Website
how to contact directors (there email addresses are not with their profiles),
and I was also unable to find the DAA Policy/Instruction on 'how to table
issues with the Board'. In the past I have sent 'issues for the Board to
consider' directly to you, but I am unaware of what happens once issues are
'posted'. Please advise.
For my colleagues: I give permission for
anyone to use all or part of this 'Letter for the DAA Board' in their own
letter or submission as you wish, and/or to propose a 'letter of support' on
the options I have suggested.
Kind regards
Melanie Voevodin
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