If you are working on a cost benefit analysis you would:

When conducting a cost-benefit analysis, the focus is on measuring the specific resources expended in providing a service or intervention in relation to the benefits gained from that service. Recording the number of hours the dietitian spent providing nutrition education is essential because it quantifies the labor cost associated with the intervention. This data point allows for a clear assessment of the time investment required to deliver the educational service.

In a cost-benefit analysis, you would typically look at both the costs of providing the service (which includes time, materials, and other resources) and the benefits derived from that service, which can be measured in improved health outcomes or patient satisfaction. The number of hours spent is a direct input cost that plays a critical role in evaluating the overall financial viability and effectiveness of the nutrition education program.

While patient satisfaction and attendance can be related to outcomes and effectiveness, they do not directly measure the resources consumed in providing the education. Therefore, focusing on the time spent by the dietitian aligns most closely with the goals of a cost-benefit analysis.