Our project team, led by Laila Akbar, a Registered Dietitian in the Renal Program at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, includes Shelly Messenger (Dietitian Practice Lead), Nicole Huang (Renal Dietitian), and Rebekah Sandhu (Research Dietitian and Educator). Together, we are working to improve nutrition care for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Fraser Health.
People with CKD often experience poor nutrition and muscle loss, which can affect their strength, recovery, and overall health. Two tools—Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Handgrip Strength (HGS)—are proven to help dietitians assess these issues. However, many dietitians don’t use them regularly due to limited training, time, or confidence.
Our project aims to change that. Over two years, we will:
- Identify what makes it hard for dietitians to use SGA and HGS.
- Create and deliver training, resources, and support to build skills and confidence.
- Integrate these tools into daily practice using mentorship and digital systems.
- Evaluate how these changes improve care.
This project will take place across Fraser Health and involve dietitians, educators, managers, and patient partners. By making nutrition assessments more consistent and effective, we hope to improve care for people with CKD and support better health outcomes. The project also supports knowledge translation by turning research into real-world practice, helping to strengthen the BC health system.