If a nutrition concern arises that the Peer Support Specialist cannot address directly, what is an appropriate course of action?

• A. Collaborate with the treatment team to refer the consumer to the primary care physician.
• B. Provide direct medical nutrition advice themselves.
• C. Ignore the concern.
• D. Suggest self-help materials only.

Answer: (A)

When a nutrition concern requires medical expertise beyond what a Peer Support Specialist is trained to provide, the proper step is to involve the treatment team and refer the consumer to the primary care physician. This aligns with the supportive role of peers—facilitating access to appropriate medical care and coordinating with the treatment team—while recognizing that medical nutrition decisions should come from a qualified clinician who can assess health conditions, medications, and potential risks. Providing medical nutrition advice directly is outside the scope of practice and could lead to harm. Ignoring the concern is unsafe, and relying only on self-help materials may not address a medical issue that needs professional evaluation.