Jeni Pearce, a University of Otago graduate and leading international sports nutritionist, is going to great lengths to keep in touch these days.
More than 200 people are attending the annual Dietitians New Zealand three-day conference, which began at the University of Otago, in Dunedin, yesterday.
About 4.45pm New Zealand time, Ms Pearce, a New Zealander who has written 10 books, gave one of the opening talks, reflecting on the conference theme: "Isolated or Staying in Touch?"
Adding force to her comments was the fact she now lives in England and was commenting via live video-link from the English Midlands.
Early this year, she was appointed head of performance nutrition at the English Institute of Sport.
As a result, she is working to help with the preparation of English athletes for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Knowing New Zealand was only 24 hours away by aircraft, she had never felt isolated in England, she said.
Many factors, including promotions or changes in job focus, could result in dietitians feeling out of touch.
Taking part in international professional organisations, Internet-linked discussion groups, and making use of email were ways of overcoming isolation.
She also acknowledged the role of Dietitians New Zealand in helping New Zealand dietitians stay in touch.
"Being isolated [physically] is no excuse for not staying in touch," she said.
Yesterday she was practising what she preached, having, because of time zone differences, begun her presentation at 5.30am English time, using facilities at Loughborough University, in Leicestershire.
"I'm just off to have breakfast," she quipped at the end of her talk.
