How can I introduce a new dietitian to my longtime clients before I retire?
Introduce the new dietitian in person, at a session you attend, and explain why you trust them. Let clients choose a pace, and keep notes shared so no one repeats their story. Longtime clients move more easily when they hear it from you and see the handover is unhurried.
Start by deciding who needs a personal introduction. Clients who have worked with you for a long time may want a joint appointment first. Others may be happy with a short message and a short call. Ask them how they would like to proceed, and respect those who prefer to wait.
At the joint appointment, share a summary of the client’s goals and progress, with their consent, so the new dietitian can pick up where you left off. Say what you admire about them, and say what will stay the same. Keep the early sessions familiar, with similar structure and materials, before the new dietitian makes changes.
Finally, tell clients what will happen after you retire: how to book, who to contact and how their records are handled. Check your professional obligations about records with a qualified adviser. Stay reachable for a short time afterwards, if you are willing, so the new dietitian can ask questions without pressure. Give the new dietitian a chance to ask you about each client in private. Honest background, such as what motivates someone or what has not worked, makes the first sessions far more comfortable for everyone.
Key takeaways
- Offer a joint appointment first, with the client’s consent to share their history.
- Keep early sessions familiar before the new dietitian changes anything.
- Tell clients how to book and how their records are handled after you retire.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat is succession planning?
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