Blurred lines: Emerging practice for registered dietitian-nutritionists in integrative and functional nutrition.

Background: This study explored the health philosophy and practice orientation of RDNs in the United States.

Methods: A randomly selected group of RDNs were recruited to take an online survey using a reduced version of Integrative Medicine practice (IM-30). Confirmatory factor analysis, analyses of variance, and non-parametric tests were used to investigate the relationships between dietetic professionals' personal health philosophy, lifestyle, and orientation to Integrative Medicine.

Results: Overall construct validity of the IM-26 scale was demonstrated by Cronbach's α with reliabilities ranging from 0.766 to 0.89. Results from chi-square test of goodness-of-fit test (N = 477, χ2 = 228.72, p = 0.123) and RMSEA of 0.016 showed good model fit. IM orientation varied significantly by work setting and certification in one or more CAM therapies.

Conclusions: The orientation towards Integrative Medicine for a majority of US dietitians is in the awareness and learning phases of adoption.