The drivers and strategies for workforce upskilling in dietetics and nutrition sciences: a scoping review
1
Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Office of the Vice-Dean Teaching and Learning, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3541
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Rapidly transforming health systems aimed at improving population health outcomes should be supported by a well-trained, adequately resourced workforce.1-3 Within this context, nutrition professionals should possess the competencies needed to navigate evolving healthcare demands, particularly in expanded clinical, public health, digital, and system-level roles.4-7 Understanding the drivers of workforce upskilling and the strategies used to address these demands is essential for informing continuing professional development, workforce development initiatives, and workforce planning.5
METHODS:
A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance, with a protocol registered on the Open Science Framework.8-10 A three-step search strategy (1994–2025) was applied across multiple electronic databases and grey literature sources. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts using PCC-aligned inclusion criteria. Data were extracted by the primary reviewer, with a 10% sample independently verified, and synthesised descriptively and thematically. Deviations from the protocol were documented and justified.
RESULTS:
Forty-nine publications were included, with output increasing over time from 2011 onwards and peaking between 2021 and 2025. Most studies originated from high-income countries, with limited representation from low- and middle-income settings. The evidence base was methodologically diverse, comprising qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs, and primarily addressed non-nutrition health professional populations rather than dietetic and nutrition professionals alone. Key drivers for workforce upskilling included competency and practice improvement, retention and career-related factors, and health system pressures. Identified strategies most frequently focused on organisational support and continuing professional development, followed by formalised education, training, and career pathways.
CONCLUSIONS:
Workforce upskilling of dietetic and nutrition professionals is shaped predominantly by system- and organisation-level drivers, with strategies centred on CPD and structured education pathways. Gaps in nutrition-specific evidence and limited inclusion of lower-income contexts highlight the need for more targeted, contextually responsive workforce development research.
Rapidly transforming health systems aimed at improving population health outcomes should be supported by a well-trained, adequately resourced workforce.1-3 Within this context, nutrition professionals should possess the competencies needed to navigate evolving healthcare demands, particularly in expanded clinical, public health, digital, and system-level roles.4-7 Understanding the drivers of workforce upskilling and the strategies used to address these demands is essential for informing continuing professional development, workforce development initiatives, and workforce planning.5
METHODS:
A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance, with a protocol registered on the Open Science Framework.8-10 A three-step search strategy (1994–2025) was applied across multiple electronic databases and grey literature sources. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts using PCC-aligned inclusion criteria. Data were extracted by the primary reviewer, with a 10% sample independently verified, and synthesised descriptively and thematically. Deviations from the protocol were documented and justified.
RESULTS:
Forty-nine publications were included, with output increasing over time from 2011 onwards and peaking between 2021 and 2025. Most studies originated from high-income countries, with limited representation from low- and middle-income settings. The evidence base was methodologically diverse, comprising qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs, and primarily addressed non-nutrition health professional populations rather than dietetic and nutrition professionals alone. Key drivers for workforce upskilling included competency and practice improvement, retention and career-related factors, and health system pressures. Identified strategies most frequently focused on organisational support and continuing professional development, followed by formalised education, training, and career pathways.
CONCLUSIONS:
Workforce upskilling of dietetic and nutrition professionals is shaped predominantly by system- and organisation-level drivers, with strategies centred on CPD and structured education pathways. Gaps in nutrition-specific evidence and limited inclusion of lower-income contexts highlight the need for more targeted, contextually responsive workforce development research.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
