PEN – Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition
DAA, Dietitians NZ and Dietitians of Canada have partnered to give you access to this internationally recognised resource to keep you on the leading edge of dietetic practice. The British Dietetic Association (BDA) joined the international collaboration in June of 2010.
What is PEN?
- PEN is an innovative knowledge translation tool developed by Dietitians of Canada
- PEN provides evidence-based answers to your everyday practice questions with just a click of your computer mouse
- PEN is a fully searchable dynamic database designed as a series of knowledge pathways, each focused on a topic from the diverse practice areas of dietetics
- Each knowledge pathway includes practice questions and evidence-based answers with links to tools and resources consistent with the evidence
How much does it cost?
- Non-members of DAA – more than $300 Canadian Dollars per year
- Members of DAA – A$60 per year due to our membership benefit access negotiation
- Cost will be phased in over two years ($30 per annum increase in membership fees in 2011 and 2012). This increase applies only to those Members eligible to access PEN. Some membership categories will not have access to the resource via DAA
Protect this valuable resource and protect your login and password details. DAA members have access to PEN through significant financial commitment from DAA, sharing this resources with non-DAA members devalues the resource and your membership.
How can I access PEN?
- Each eligible DAA and Dietitians NZ member can now register to receive their own login code through the PEN website at www.pennutrition.com
- Read the PEN Registration Guide for troubleshooting
- Universities are able to buy licenses to provide student access
How can I find out more?
- DAA has developed a webpresent, view it on DINER
- You can log on to the PEN website and click on ‘PEN Orientation Tutorial’. This will provide you with a guided tour to familiarise yourself with the features and organisation of the PEN website
- PEN flyer
Will the Canadian resources be relevant to Australian dietary practice?
- PEN draws on the best international nutrition evidence to create the practice recommendations
- DAA and Dietitians NZ have formed a PEN Working Party to guide the development and review of PEN content
- A number of key pathways have been reviewed and adapted already and others will be progressively revised. PEN adaptation progress
- Australian and New Zealand resources are also linked to PEN
- Key words have already been modified to reflect Australian and New Zealand terminology
- DAA and Dietitians NZ members will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of new knowledge pathways and participate as reviewers as existing ones are updated
What do your colleagues think of PEN?
‘PEN is a fantastic, user-friendly resource developed over a number of years by our Canadian colleagues. The information is evidence based and provides not only references for our use but also client resources. The opportunity to be part of a global, evidence based resource network is extremely valuable and exciting for all APDs in any work environment’
Julie Dundon AdvAPD and DAA President
‘From my first days as a dietitian I have always believed that we have to practice evidence-based dietetics – that is how I ended up in research. PEN makes it easier for all of the profession to do just that. The Canadian team behind PEN has the highest standards of practice in systematic literature review. This is because they understand that dietitians need knowledge pathways that enhance all aspects of practice across the spectrum of nutrition and dietetics. The real value of PEN is in the translation of the evidence into practice.’
Associate Professor Margaret Allman-Farinelli APD and DAA Director
‘Today evidence based practice is a key component of the dietitians tool kit. The Practice based Evidence in Nutrition resource provides an opportunity for APDs to be leaders in evaluating the state of evidence in their area of practice and rise to the challenge of translating this knowledge to practice’.
Professor Clare Collins FDAA
PEN Working Party members:
Dr Margaret Allman-Farinelli
Dr Merrilyn Banks
Dr Judy Bauer
Dr Clare Collins
Sue Nelan
Katrina Pace (NZ)
Julie Sekula (NZ)
Rosalie Yandell
National Office Contact:
Professional Services Dietitian
T: 02 6163 5203
E: psd@daa.asn.au