Tag Archive for: Nutritionist

What Is an Oncology Dietitian vs. a Nutritionist?

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Oncology dietitian Dr. Cynthia Thomson from the University of Arizona discusses the differences in education levels, training, and continuing education for dietitians versus nutritionists and the meaning of registered dietitians and registered dietitian nutritionists.

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Transcript:

Lisa Hatfield:

Dr. Thomson, can you explain the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist, and why it’s important for patients to seek out the appropriate person, maybe in their cancer center and oncology dietitian when receiving care for cancer? 

Dr. Cynthia Thomson:

Yeah. Definitely. So a registered dietitian, or what we call an RD, similar to a registered nurse, RN, right, they have had a four-year undergraduate degree that is extremely heavy in the sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, physiology. They understand how nutrients are metabolized and how the body processes nutrients to optimize health. In addition, after all of that four-year degree, which is pretty much equivalent to a pre-med degree, they will then go through an internship where they’re supervised by professionals in the field and spend quite a bit of time in the clinics with patients, learning the day-to-day application of all that knowledge that they’ve learned. It’s a five-year commitment for most individuals.

And then they have to pass a registration exam. And then on top of that, they have to stay up-to-date in terms of continuing education, right? They can’t just walk away and then for the next 30 years practice nutrition without being up-to-date. And so it’s a pretty intensive process and a lifelong learning process. In contrast, the nutritionist could be anybody. Lisa, you could decide today, you’re a nutritionist. Technically, in many states, you could hang up a shingle and say, come see me, I’m a nutritionist. And so it gets a little confusing, because people assume that people who say they’re a nutritionist know nutrition.

And, unfortunately, over the years, it has been very difficult to convince people or even educate them on what a registered dietitian is. So about a decade ago, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which is the professional organization that registered dietitians belong to, decided maybe we should opt to call ourselves registered dietitian nutritionists RDN, because then people would start to put it together that there are different kinds of nutritionists. And so many dietitians have moved to the title of RDN, others who’ve been in the field longer may have chosen to stick with the RD only. And so really look for an RDA or an RD when you’re looking for professional help, because you know you have a highly qualified individual.

When I became an oncology dietitian, my whole day was about taking care of cancer patients. I wasn’t seeing one cancer patient and five heart patients and two pediatric patients. I was seeing oncology patients, inpatient, outpatient, all different cancers at all levels of care. And so I really understood the disease process and how it affected the nutritional status of my patients. And so it’s just a matter of an oncology dietitian is really going to have that certification above and beyond the RDN that says, I know my stuff, and I’ll share it with you. And they also have to go through an exam, a special exam to be an oncology dietitian, and they have to repeat that exam every five years, so very intense. You get what you pay for, and the dietitians who put them through, themselves through all that training do so because they know that’s what’s best to meet the needs of their patients.

Lisa Hatfield:

You’ve heard it straight from Dr. Cynthia Thomson. Thanks for joining us on this RESTORE program. I’m your host, Lisa Hatfield. 

Overall Health and CAR T-Cell Therapy | Tips for Preparation and Recovery

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How can you best prepare to undergo CAR T-cell therapy to aid in optimal recovery? This animated explainer video provides key advice for learning about CAR T-cell therapy, consulting with your care team members, and tips for recuperating after the process. 

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Planning for CAR T-Cell Therapy | Advice for Myeloma Patients

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Current and Emerging CAR T-Cell Therapies for Myeloma

 CAR T-Cell Therapy | Key Considerations for Myeloma Patients

CAR T-Cell Therapy | Key Considerations for Myeloma Patients

Transcript:

CAR T-cell therapy offers a groundbreaking approach for people living with myeloma, and taking steps to optimize your health can play a crucial role in your treatment journey. From preparing your body and mind before therapy to focusing on recovery afterward, there are actionable ways to support your overall well-being and, potentially, enhance outcomes. 

Here are some key steps to boosting your overall health when preparing to undergo CAR T-cell therapy: 

Start by learning about CAR T-cell therapy.

Take the time to understand how the treatment works and what to expect. Your care team can guide you through the process, from the collection of T cells to potential side effects and what to expect following therapy. Educational resources like those found on the Patient Empowerment Network website can also empower you with knowledge and confidence.  

Next, consider cost.

Confirm insurance coverage and make sure you understand the financial impact of CAR T-cell therapy. You can also meet with a financial counselor or a navigator at your medical center to see if there are any resources to assist with paying for therapy. 

Then, consult with your CAR T-cell therapy team.

When undergoing pre-treatment evaluation, be sure to get all of your questions answered and to understand what support will be available to you during the CAR T-cell therapy process.  

You should also build a support system.

Having a family member or friend who can accompany you to appointments and assist with your recovery is vital, and often required by the CAR T-cell therapy center. A care partner can be an advocate for you and help to ensure you feel supported throughout the process. 

It’s also important to plan ahead.

Coordinate with your employer for the time you’ll need to take off from work. And, if necessary, arrange for child or pet care so that you won’t have to worry about these logistics following treatment.  

And, last but not least, meet with other care team members:  

Consider a consultation with a nutritionist for advice on a diet that supports your body through the CAR T process, as well as safe handling tips for meals following treatment.  

A social worker can help you manage the emotional, logistical, and financial aspects of CAR T-cell therapy.   

And, meeting with a pharmacist may also be useful, as they can provide specific information about medications you will take before, during, and after treatment.  

After CAR T-cell therapy, maintaining your health is essential to boost recovery and to reduce potential side effects or complications. Here are some useful tips to aid in recovery: 

Focus on Nutrition.

Your body will need extra support as it heals. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help boost your immune system.  

Stay Active.

Light exercise, such as walking or yoga, can help improve your strength and mental well-being. Consult with your doctor before starting any exercise routine.  

Monitor Your Mental Health.

Emotional health is just as important as physical health during recovery. Reach out for support if you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious.  

Stay on Top of Follow-Up Appointments.

After therapy, your healthcare team will monitor your progress. Attend all follow-up appointments and keep track of your symptoms. If you notice anything unusual, contact your doctor immediately.  

CAR T-cell therapy is a powerful treatment and taking steps to prepare and care for yourself can make a significant difference in your recovery.

For more information and additional resources, visit powerfulpatients.org.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Care | Who Are the Essential Team Members?

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Acute Myeloid Leukemia Care | Who Are the Essential Team Members? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) care is not just monitored by an oncologist or hematologist – there’s an entire medical team. Dr. Jacqueline Garcia, an oncologist and AML researcher, shares an overview of the various members of the healthcare team and the role they play in overall care.

Dr. Jacqueline Garcia is an oncologist and AML researcher at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Learn more about Dr. Garcia.

See More from Thrive AML

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Understanding AML Treatment Categories

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Transcript:

Katherine Banwell:

Typically, there are a number of team members to care for a patient. Who is part of an AML healthcare team?  

Dr. Jacqueline Garcia:

Absolutely. We definitely cannot work on our own. Our team is very large, and it’s because these patients require a lot of support. At a bare minimum, a healthcare team will include at least one physician or an oncologist. The AML healthcare team might also include a second oncologist – that could be a bone marrow transplant doctor.  

Other members that are very critical include having a mid-leveler available that’s a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner. Often, an oncologist who runs a busy practice, who takes care of patients that could be very sick, like AML, they work in partnership with often very talented physician assistants and nurse practitioners. I know I do.  

In addition to that, I’m at an academic center so I’m super fortunate. I have really amazing and very smart hematology oncology fellows and residents that also follow to learn how to take care of patients. But we also, in the background, that patients don’t see – we have a pharmacist that helps us with making sure that drugs are prescribed correctly. They often call the patients with oral therapies to follow up. We have financial resource teams to help patients, to link them to LLS for support for bills that might come up, or transportation, or linking them up to other services that could help to defray or reduce costs.  

So, the healthcare team is quite extensive. But in terms of those that are patient-facing, it’s primarily the MDM that are mid-leveler. Some teams operate also with a nurse or a nurse care coordinator. That’s pretty common, too. And that person helps to not only schedule but also to answer pages or phone calls from patients if the medical team is not doing that.  

Katherine Banwell:

What about a social worker or psychologist? 

Dr. Jacqueline Garcia:

Oh. Yes. Yes. So, absolutely. So, every patient can be offered, if needed, access to an inpatient or outpatient social worker. Often, if my patients are admitted we have them see a social worker because that’s fairly seamless. Otherwise, for outpatient, if we identify any particular needs or there’s an interest, we’ll link them up with a social worker. This is the same that goes for physical therapy, or nutritionists, or those other ancillary services that can be really critical when patients are getting started.