The Toronto Star has published an investigative article regarding the advertising practices of dietitians who provide professional advice on social media. (Unfortunately, we cannot provide access to the article as it is behind a paywall, and the content is under copyright.) The article questioned whether registered dietitians demonstrate transparency and avoid conflicts of interest when sharing sponsored social media content.
CDO provided a media response that referenced our Code of Ethics as well as social media standards and guidelines. We are currently updating the Code and creating a specific advertising standard — work that began prior to the publication of the article. This revised Code will be posted on our website in December and will be open for consultation in January 2024.
We are delivering workshops on building an inclusive and equitable practice using virtual care and social media. The workshops offer guidance on various ethical dilemmas and case scenarios. All dietitians can benefit from learning about the new standards, even if social media or virtual care is not a regular part of your practice. We encourage you to attend or view the recording later.
The College of Dietitians of Ontario is committed first and foremost to the protection of the public interest. As regulated health-care professionals, dietitians uphold the public interest by practising dietetics ethically and responsibly. When it comes to credibility and trust in the profession, public perception matters.
We welcome your feedback and opinions on the Toronto Star article, which you may forward to registrar@collegeofdietitians.org.
Sincerely,
Melanie Woodbeck
Registrar & Executive Director
College of Dietitians of Ontario