Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 435 - State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision
Chapter 35 - Licensed Dietitians and Provisional Dietitians
Section 435:35-1-2 - Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this Chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Academy" means the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is the national professional association for registered dietitians.

"ACEND" means the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics which accredits educational and pre-professional training programs in dietetics.

"Act" means the Licensed Dietitian Act, 59 O.S. Supp. 1984, Section 1721 et seq.

"Autonomy" means a patient, client, or professional has the capacity and self-determination to engage in individual decision-making specific to personal health or practice.

"Beneficence" means taking positive steps to benefit others, which includes balancing benefit and risk.

"Board" means the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision.

"Competence" means a principle of professional practice, identifying the ability of the provider to administer safe and reliable services on a consistent basis.

"Conflict(s) of Interest(s)" means a personal or financial interest or a duty to another party which may prevent a person from acting in the best interests of the intended beneficiary, including simultaneous membership on boards with potentially conflicting interests related to the profession, members or the public.

"Commission" means the Commission on Dietetic Registration and is the agency which evaluates credentials, administers proficiency examinations and issues certificates of registration to qualifying dietitians and is a member of the National Commission on Health Certifying Agencies.

"Customer" means any client, patient, resident, participant, student, consumer, individual/person, group, population, or organization to which the nutrition and dietetics practitioner provides service.

"Diversity" means actively identifying and offering opportunities to individuals with varied skills, talents, abilities, ideas, disabilities, backgrounds and practice expertise. The Academy values and respects the diverse viewpoints and individual differences of all people. The Academy's mission and vision are most effectively realized through the promotion of a diverse membership that reflects cultural, ethnic, gender, racial, religious, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, geographical, political, educational, experiential and philosophical characteristics of the public it services. The Academy actively identifies and offers opportunities to individuals with varied skills, talents, abilities, ideas, disabilities, backgrounds and practice expertise.

"Evidence-based Practice" means an approach to health care wherein health practitioners use the best evidence possible, i.e., the most appropriate information available, to make decisions for individuals, groups and populations. Evidence-based practice values, enhances and builds on clinical expertise, knowledge of disease mechanisms, and pathophysiology. It involves complex and conscientious decision-making based not only on the available evidence but also on client characteristics, situations, and preferences. It recognizes that health care is individualized and ever changing and involves uncertainties and probabilities. Evidence-based practice incorporates successful strategies that improve client outcomes and are derived from various sources of evidence including research, national guidelines, policies, consensus statements, systematic analysis of clinical experience, quality improvement data, specialized knowledge and skills of experts.

"Justice" means (social justice): supporting fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment for individuals and fair allocation of resources.

"LD" means a person duly licensed as a licensed dietitian under the Licensed Dietitian Act.

"Non-Maleficence" means the intent to not inflict harm.

"PLD" means a person duly licensed as a provisional licensed dietitian under the Licensed Dietitian Act.

"RD" means registered dietitian.

"RDN" meansregistered dietitian nutritionist. This represents an accepted abbreviation for a registered dietitian according to the Commission.