"PEN has simplified my life in so many ways. Now, I can really focus on my areas of practice – and “outsource” my staying abreast of various topics to PEN."
PEN Insider
Spotlight on Kristyn Hall
Kristyn Hall, MSc, RD
Evidence Analyst Contractor
My role with PEN: I wear a few hats…
I have been involved with PEN since 2003 when it was first envisioned as a Professional Support Tool. At that time, I participated in the PEN Advisory Committee. In 2007, I did an evidence-based review for the [then-called] Calgary Health Region looking at best practices for pediatric obesity treatment. This formed the basis of work that I continued with PEN as a Evidence Analyst contractor. I have written content for the following PEN pathways:
• pediatric obesity treatment,
• safety of soy consumption throughout the lifecycle,
• infant lactose intolerance,
• infant colic, and
• toddler and preschooler nutrition.
In the past year, I expanded my contract work in the PEN team to PEN communications, including being the Editor of PEN eNews, and the social media lead for the PEN team.
A day in my life with PEN:
PEN is a living and breathing support for dietetic practice 24/7 - as a result, I am too!! As a contract evidence analyst, I:
- subscribe to electronic tables of contents, which alert me to new literature available.
- am a part of various list-serves and electronic newsletters which help me stay abreast of practice issues relevant to dietitians, and what is in the news.
- devising a search strategy,
- acquiring new evidence,
- critically appraising an article,
- writing an evidence-summary of an article,
- doing an evidence-analysis of the literature reviewed,
- completing the various parts of the PEN knowledge pathway template – practice question, backgrounder, practice guidance summary
As the Editor for PEN eNews, I work with the PEN team to plan and write articles about evidence-based dietetic practice, knowledge transfer, continuing education and optimizing time spent in PEN. In my role as the social media lead, I plan and monitor our social media accounts on Facebook,Twitter and LinkedIn (new).
These are a “few of my favourite things” about PEN:
- PEN facilitates opportunities for transition to new and evolving roles in dietetics. The dietetics world is my oyster!
- PEN is dynamic and is set up to be responsive to new evidence.
- PEN has simplified my life in so many ways. Now, I can really focus on my areas of practice – and “outsource” my staying abreast of various topics to PEN. Then, when a friend asks me “are you a dietitian? I have a question about….”, I can go to PEN for my answer. Phew!
Biggest learning from evidence-based practice; from taking a PEN approach?
“The difference between background and foreground questions”
Background questions form the foundation of nutrition and dietetics and are less likely to require constant updating. Foreground questions highlight the complex questions that dietitians are faced with every day. This difference helps me organize the new information I consume, as well as structure the questions I ask.