Penelope Klebe
About
Highly Specialist Community Gastroenterology and Nutrition Support Dietitian
Dietetic Clinical Lead Gastroenterology
Research Champion for Kent Community Health Dietetic Service
I have been working as a dietitian since qualifying from Kings College London in 2004. I have always had an active interest in research and been involved in quality improvement projects, audit and presenting posters at national conferences whilst in my clinical roles. Over the past two years I have completed the Kent Community Health and CHSS Research Champion Programme and CHSS ICAP Internship.
PhD
I commenced a PhD Scholarship with the ARC in January 2024, part-time over the next five years. My research proposal is to assess the role of an enhanced dietetic education programme for the first year post Coeliac Disease diagnosis and the use of an existing supportive self-management toolkit for optimising long term compliance to a gluten free diet.
Coeliac disease is damage to the small bowel secondary to the presence of gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye) in the diet. Incidence of Coeliac disease is increasing and current epidemiological data suggests it affects 1% of the Western population. The only current treatment for Coeliac disease is a gluten free diet and dietetic review is the gold standard assessment for compliance to a gluten free diet.
Professional
British Dietetic Association Education Lead for BDA Gastroenterology Specialist Group
Registered with Health Professions Council
British Society of Gastroenterology
The Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology
PhD Supervisors
Supervision and Mentorship
ICAP Internship Supervisor
Research Champion Mentor