Abstract
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practices
for 12 months. This study aimed to determine acceptance of
DietAdvice by its users and healthcare providers. A random sample of
10 patients who had used DietAdvice, 10 dietitians stratified by work
area, and a systematic sample of 10 recruiting and 10 non-recruiting
GPs were approached. Audio-recorded telephone interviews determined
beliefs about DietAdvice, health, nutrition and technology. Interviews
were transcribed verbatim and analysed categorically using
NVivo. Patients were concerned about repetition, Internet difficulties in
the GP practices, not receiving their dietary prescriptions from their GP,
and had a preference for face-to-face interviews. Dietitians were concerned
about the GP providing dietary advice, computer literacy of the
patients, the importance of including a dietitian. Dietitians felt that
DietAdvice could save time prior to dietary education and counselling.
Recruiting GPs believed that patient computer literacy was a limitation,
though patient satisfaction with the dietary prescriptions, increased
availability of dietary services created by DietAdvice, and the importance
of nutrition in healthcare were advantages. Non-recruiting GPs felt that
they had a lack of time available to recruit patients, patient computer
literacy was limited and there was a need for face-to-face contact,
although the importance of technology in healthcare was an advantage. Overall, the website was accepted by users and healthcare providers,
though the perspectives of patients and healthcare providers show some
variation based on their experience with DietAdvice, their focus on nutrition
and the roles they play in the healthcare system. Automated technology
may play a part in the future of dietetics.