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Chapter 6


of conversation. You are left with two options to offer the patient (always remembering to validate): “That’s awful! I’m so sorry to hear about your grandfather. Do you want to have a session with me, or would your time be better used getting ready for your trip?” Support your patient on whichever choice he or she


makes. Some patients cannot focus in times like these, and others prefer a distraction such as nutrition. If you think that your patient is trying to please you by staying when he or she really wants or needs to leave, you may pull rank and say, “I can tell you want to want to stay, but that you really want [or need] to leave. I support you in leaving, it won’t hurt my feelings, and we can pick up where we left off when you come back.” It is always wise to convey some informa- tion to the other treatment team members about the strong feelings, your knowledge of the situation that prompted them, and your decision to cut short (or not) your session.


Effective Team Communication


Because of the RDN’s role as a supportive member of the treatment team, patients and family members may ask for general guidance not always related to nutrition. In most cases, these questions are best directed to a physician or therapist, rather than answered directly. Although such questions can seem like simple requests for your opinion (“Do you think our daughter will be ready to go to college in the fall?”), they are usually more complex and require more thorough discussion. In some circumstances they may even be manipulative attempts to pit team members against each other, and you may be unhappily surprised to hear your words used against you later. Even under ideal circumstances, your patients and their


family members do not seek your advice casually; any opinions you share will be viewed as authoritative because of your role as a member of the treatment team. Therefore


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