Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A point-of-care resource is required to support Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in providing comprehensive culturally-tailored nutrition services. This study aims to describe the iterative development and testing of a comprehensive nutrition assessment tool as part of a novel web-based platform to Support Personalized and Inclusive Cuisines in Environments for Healthcare (SPICE-Healthcare). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leveraging co-design approaches, we iteratively developed and tested a nutrition assessment tool with RDNs across the U.S. We conducted qualitative interviews, a usability testing session, and follow-up survey and interviews to evaluate the usability, acceptability, ease of use, and likelihood of using the tool among practicing RDNs. RESULTS: Our development of the assessment tool involved four phases (n = 40 total): (1) conceptualizing its structure and vision, (2) testing a low-fidelity prototype and designing optimized features (n = 10); (3) testing a high-fidelity prototype with optimized (culturally personalized) features (n = 10); and (4) testing a fully functioning, programmed tool (n = 20). Findings suggest above average usability of the tool (Phase 4 average System Usability Scale score = 80 out of 100) and acceptability (Phase 4 average Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 score = 26.5 out of 32). DISCUSSION: Our study suggests potential for future implementation testing of the nutrition assessment tool within SPICE-Healthcare. The use of co-design approaches enabled the collaborative generation and evaluation of the assessment tool with expert RDN end-users. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive nutrition assessment tool within SPICE-Healthcare shows potential for facilitating culturally and medically tailored nutrition assessments at the point-of-care to support adults with diet-related health conditions.