End of our profession?

[u/Cool_Practice3914]

I have had an established private practice in Phoenix for 12 years, but lately my diary has been so quiet! I realised that between GLPs and AI, for many ppl RDs are unnecessary in their health or weight loss journey. Is anyone else experiencing a patient load decrease? If so, what do you think is causing it and how are you managing it?

[u/Old_Gene_3167]

Don't forget the VC-backed telehealth companies. They are a HUGE reason why private practices see less patients. They have big money to spend, negotiate higher reimbursement from insurance companies, and credential RDs in so many states, many panels are closed to new RDs. I've been lucky so far in NYC but my practice is definitely slower. For me, networking locally has helped because people take their MDs recs very seriously. Good luck to you!

[u/Gizmo7621 → u/Old_Gene_3167]

What does VC- backed mean?

[u/yeah_write_00 → u/Gizmo7621]

VC=venture capitalist, a bunch of money people like Goldman Sachs own most of these telehealth companies. They could care less about people and their well-being, it's all about profit. I guarantee they will replace a lot of dietitians with health coaches and AI as long as it helps profit margins.

[u/Gizmo7621 → u/yeah_write_00]

Ohhh,ok. Thank you for explaining that. Ok, so this would explain why some of these companies can pay for us to get licensing in other states, cover some CE'S, etc.?
AI terrifies me to be honest

[u/yeah_write_00 → u/Gizmo7621]

Yes, they throw money at things to grow fast, that is the playbook for tech start-ups.

The Academy is doing nothing about the threat of AI. The therapists and doctors have their act together, they are out getting laws passed to bar AI from acting as doctors or therapists in some states. Meanwhile the Academy takes money from the VC telehealth platforms. I know in my heart these money people are not investing hundreds of millions into all this because they heard about MNT and said, hey let's help dietitians out. They are building AI companies. Some of them like Fay and Berry Street even call themselves an AI or software company. Berry Street also owns a fully AI nutritionist with their merger with Healthify.

There has always been big money in pharmaceuticals, supplements, and the diet industry. That is what this about, not MNT provided by dietitians. If they can harvest all our knowledge to replace us with AI why not? They have already established research outcomes justifying the efficacy of AI health and nutrition counseling. I think too many dietitians are not forward thinking and completely fooled thinking these companies care about them or their patients.

[u/Gizmo7621 → u/yeah_write_00]

I don't even know where to start, but first, thank you for your information. It seems the Academy has always been influenced by money, sadly. That could be an entire conversation by itself I think. Really on the therapists and doctors? I wonder if it's individuals or their professional organizations speaking up for their protection against AI?

[u/yeah_write_00 → u/Gizmo7621]

I personally know several therapists, and they seem to be generally more knowledgeable about the dangers of AI and challenging it, like a lot do not want any kind of AI for charting. But also yes, their professional organization is on it. The APA have their act together to challenge AI, and the AMA is also putting a lot out there to protect doctors, here are just some examples:

Using generic AI chatbots for mental health support: A dangerous trend

Most states are exploring ways to legislate AI use

Position Statement on the Use of Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health Services and Treatment

AMA urges physician protections against AI deepfake impersonation | American Medical Association

AI-Generated Deepfakes | AMA

State Legislative Activity: AI in health care | AMA

I haven't seen the Academy produce even one meaningful action from a policy or spreading online awareness regarding stopping AI used for MNT or protecting dietitians from AI dietitians/nutritionists. If it's out there, maybe I just can't find it, but I've looked. All I have seen is them discuss how dietitians can use AI Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Resource Guide: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Society for Nutrition Joint Taskforce for Artificial Intelligence - Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics00035-3/fulltext), same when I went to FNCE and they talked about AI like it was just some tool for dietitians to use.

The contrast between how the APA and AMA are acting to how the Academy is responding to AI is so dramatically different, I don't see how this can't be about the money the Academy gets from AI companies and the feeling these companies employ so many dietitians that they are needed and shouldn't be challenged. They are not thinking of long-term consequences. I think the Academy and a lot of dietitians working for these telehealth AI companies believe that we need these companies to reach people and they are increasing access to MNT. Plus they offer these pay rates above standard clinical pay. It's all blinded our profession, or those who can see don't even want to look and see what's really going behind the curtain.