Inadequate Nutrition Coverage in Outpatient Cancer Centers: Results of a National Survey
Table 1
Outpatient oncology RDN staffing patterns.
RDN staffing
Frequency (%) or mean ± SDa
Range
Is there a dedicated RDNs for outpatient oncology services at your facility? (n = 188)
Yes
94.1 (177)
—
No
5.9 (11)
—
How many years has your facility employed dedicated RDNs for outpatient oncology?
All centers (n = 159)
10.4 ± 8.2
0–49
NCI-designated cancer centers (n = 35)
14.2 ± 8.2
1–30
Non-NCI-designated cancer centers (n = 124)
9.3 ± 7.9
0–49
RDN FTE and analytic cases
Mean ± SDa
Range
How many RDN full-time equivalents (FTEs) are currently working in any outpatient oncology service?
Total for All centers (n = 199)
1.7 ± 2.0
0–16.6
Total for NCI-Designated cancer centers (n = 41)
3.1 ± 3.0
0.025–16.6
Total for non-NCI-designated cancer centers (n = 158)
1.3 ± 1.4
0–9.2
How many RDN full-time equivalents (FTEs) are currently working in each outpatient oncology service?b (n = 199)
Medical oncology (n = 184)
1.0 ± 1.5
0–12.6
Radiation oncology (n = 171)
0.6 ± 0.6
0–4.0
Infusion (n = 86)
0.3 ± 0.5
0–2.7
How many new analytic cases were seen at your center in the most recent year for which data are complete?
All centers (n = 128)
2,073 ± 1,991
0–9,351
NCI-designated cancer centers (n = 25)
4,297 ± 2,427
30–9,351
Non-NCI-designated cancer centers (n = 103)
1,533 ± 1,429
0–7,200
RDN-to-patient ratios
Ratio
Range
All centers (n = 124)
1 : 2,308
1 : 0–1 : 53,100c
NCI-designated cancer centers (n = 25)
1 : 3,587
1 : 10–1 : 47,960
Non-NCI-designated cancer centers (n = 99)
1 : 1,984
1 : 0–1 : 53,100c
aDue to incomplete data and branching logic, the total number of responses varies by question. The total number of complete responses per question is provided next to each response in-line. Percentages are based upon the number of responses out of the total number answering the question. Means and standard deviations are calculated using only complete responses. bRespondents are allowed to select more than one service, as many centers offer all or a combination of these services. cTo derive RDN-to-patient ratio. The analytic patient cases were divided by RDN FTEs individually for each center that provided both data points. One center reported having a RDN but no analytic cases (1 : 0). RDN = Registered Dietician Nutritionist; NCI = National Cancer Institute.