| [ Summary ] |
Registered dietitians are responsible for providing dietetic therapy, which is an important component in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Unlike pharmacists, registered dietitians are unable to provide medications in outpatient situations. Their duty is to assist patients in understanding foods suitable for their individual clinical states by providing nutritional education. The roles of registered dietitians include supporting patients in putting the dietary information received into practice, as well as helping patients understand and accept their clinical states by providing information on food contents in a detailed and easily understood manner. In the case of patients in stage 5 CKD who are beginning renal replacement therapy, the role of registered dietitians extends further to encompass more than providing guidance on diet therapy. At that time, the most important mission of registered dietitians is to examine all aspects of patients' lifestyles and together with doctors, facilitate the efficient induction of dialysis by obtaining informed consent from patients starting renal replacement therapy. |