Page 33 - Sphere No.29 (Jun 2011)

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Sphere
“We want to let more clients and citizens
know what a dietitian can do to help them
and their families...”
Registered dietitians
Tinny Chan and
Wendy Liu (centre)
consult with in-shop
pharmacist Alan
Choy at Watsons in
Jordan, one of seven
stores where the new
nutrition and dietary
service is offered.
a dietitian in a public hospital, even if it is for a
follow-up appointment. For many clients, monitor-
ing and convenience are key motivations for seeking
help.”
Practical challenges
Implementing the new service has not been without
challenges. With retail space so precious in Hong
Kong, a strategic approach has been needed to carve
out areas in existing stores for the dietitians’ consul-
tation rooms.
Another challenge has been overcoming lack
of local understanding about what dietitians do.
“People tend to think that dietitians equal weight
loss, when in fact, we offer so much more. Aside
from helping in the control of disease, we play a
major role in children’s health and nutrition,” said
Ms Liu.
In addition, many people are confused about the
difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian.
“While nutritionists have a great deal of scientific
knowledge about nutrients and how they interact,
they usually do not have clinical training to apply
that knowledge to individuals, especially to people
with diseases,” Ms Liu explained. Dietitians, she
said, were trained not just to know about nutrients
in food but which foods work together to meet an
individual’s specific nutritional, medical and health
needs.
Pharmacists faced a similar challenge 20 years
ago, recalled Ms Lau. “Most people did not realise
that we were experts in medicine,” she said. “Over
the years, that has changed. Now, pharmacists
are regarded as health and medication con-
sultants.” She hopes public awareness about
the role of dietitians will be similarly raised.
“We want to let more and more clients and
citizens know what a dietitian can do to
help them and their families lead a more
healthy life.”
Perfect timing
For Ms Liu, heading the team behind
Watsons’ newest health-related service is a
dream come true. As a trainee in Scotland, she had
already decided she would prefer to practise in a
community rather than a hospital setting.
“Hospital dieticians do amazing work. They help
sick people and those in urgent needs,” she said.
“But because we eat several times every day, helping
people with their diets is a good way to help them
stay healthy and prevent illness.” She passionately
believed that food was more than just fuel – it was
also about society and culture. “I felt I could do
more with disease prevention and health promotion
by working in the community,” she said. “I wanted
to make an impact on people’s everyday lives.”
On returning to Hong Kong to pursue her career,
Ms Liu had few opportunities to realise her vision.
At least, that was the situation until about a year
ago, when Watsons came along with its plan for
in-store dietitians. “I was so glad to discover that we
shared the same vision,” said Ms Liu. “It was really
good timing and a wonderful opportunity for which
I’m so thankful.”