[Development and preliminary validation of the "Skill Checklist" to enhance lifestyle modification skills among registered dietitians].

Objective To improve the effectiveness of nutritional interventions by registered dietitians (RDs) in preventing and managing lifestyle-related diseases, this study developed and evaluated the "Skill Checklist," a tool supporting the structured individual-based lifestyle education (SILE) lifestyle improvement program based on the Nutrition Care Process.Methods The "Skill Checklist" enables RDs to conduct seven self-assessments across 12 weeks at each SILE program stage. Twenty-five RDs were assessed for Nutrition Skill Score reliability and validity and inter-rater reliability of three independent evaluators. Construct validity was examined through score differences by experience level. Reproducibility was tested in 21 RDs using Spearman's correlation at 1-week intervals. A nutritional counseling survey was conducted at baseline and 12 weeks.Results Of the 24 RDs who completed the study, 75% worked in pharmacies. Experience level (< 3 vs. ≥ 3 years) and monthly counseling frequency (< 10 vs. ≥ 10) were balanced. Cronbach's alpha for the Nutrition Skill Score was 0.907. Construct validity was supported by significantly higher evaluator scores for more experienced RDs (P = 0.024, P = 0.023). Inter-rater reliability (ICC (2,1)) was 0.758 (95% CI: 0.610-0.906). Reproducibility was confirmed (n = 21, r = 0.689, P < 0.001). Week-12 scores were significantly higher than baseline in self-assessments and evaluator ratings (P = 0.004, P < 0.001), remaining significant after covariate adjustment (P = 0.002, P < 0.001). RDs reporting successful counseling increased from 25.0% to 58.3%, while those reporting difficulty perceiving effectiveness decreased from 83.3% to 45.8%.Conclusion This study demonstrated the reliability and validity of the "Skill Checklist." The tool may help RDs visualize and strengthen nutritional intervention and lifestyle modification competencies.