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Boyce S, Dong HV, Guerrero A, Thang C, Garell C, Carpenter C, Slusser W. Nutrition Education in Medical Schools: What do Medical Students Think? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION AND CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT 2023; 10:23821205231207488. [PMID: 37854279 PMCID: PMC10580719 DOI: 10.1177/23821205231207488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Objective To examine medical students' perceptions of the nutrition education received and their ability to apply that knowledge in clinical settings. Methods This is a qualitative study using a structured survey with free responses to solicit the perspective of US medical students regarding their nutrition education. A national online survey was distributed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Pediatric Trainees. An expert committee in nutrition education evaluated and conducted a thematic analysis of the survey responses. Results Twenty-four surveys were completed (10 medical students and 14 pediatric interns). The survey revealed students were not satisfied with the nutrition education they received in several areas including nutritional recommendations for obesity and prediabetes/diabetes; nutritional needs during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescent age-related dietary recommendations; cultural influences on diet and eating habits; and food insecurity. Students also reported a lack of confidence in providing healthful nutrition counseling to adolescent patients and delivering culturally appropriate nutrition advice. Conclusions Survey responses revealed the need for improvements in several areas of nutrition curricula related to health and chronic disease management and suggest broader social determinants of health such as cultural influences on nutrition practices and food insecurity. The results of this survey provide unique insight into the medical student perspective on nutrition education and can inform the development of future medical school nutrition curriculums.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanika Boyce
- Department of Pediatrics, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Huan V Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alma Guerrero
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christine Thang
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cambria Garell
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Wendelin Slusser
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Cardenas D, Díaz G, Cadavid J, Lipovestky F, Canicoba M, Sánchez P, Álvarez L, Duarte Y, Reyes JGG, de Noyola GM, Maza C, Porbén SS, Bermúdez CE, García Y, Calvo I, Arenas H. Nutrition in medical education in Latin America: Results of a cross-sectional survey. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2021; 46:229-237. [PMID: 33735516 DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The gap between the nutrition education provided to medical students and the nutrition competences and attitudes needed for doctors to provide effective nutrition care is a global concern. The goal of this study was to investigate the curricular content on nutrition education in Latin American medical schools and to evaluate the self-perceived knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to nutrition practice of final-year medical students. METHODS Eighty-five public and private medical schools from 17 Latin American countries were invited to participate in the study. Two close-ended online questionnaires consisting of 25 and 43 questions were sent to medical school directors. Quantitative variables were expressed as frequencies, percentages, mean ± standard deviation, medians, and ranges. RESULTS A total of 22 (26%) medical school directors responded, of which 11 schools (50%) offered stand-alone mandatory nutrition courses in preclinical and 8 (36%) in clinical years. The mean hours dedicated to nutrition education was 47 (range: 0-150). A total of 1530 of 1630 (94%) students from 12 countries responded. Students' average age was 25 ± 3 years, and 59% were female. Most students agreed that improving patients' health through nutrition (91%) is important and that nutrition counseling and assessment should be part of routine care provided by all physicians (89%), but they lack the level of education and training required to address nutrition-related issues. CONCLUSIONS Positive attitude and interest in nutrition among final-year medical students is high, but nutrition education is not perceived as sufficient to adequately prepare doctors in the field of nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Cardenas
- Faculty of Medicine, Research Institute on Nutrition, Genetics and Metabolism, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Gustavo Díaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Research Institute on Nutrition, Genetics and Metabolism, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jessika Cadavid
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiaba, Brazil
| | - Fernando Lipovestky
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marisa Canicoba
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola Sánchez
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ludwig Álvarez
- Nutrition department, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Yan Duarte
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Estatal de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | | | | | - Claudia Maza
- Faculty of Nutrition, Centro Médico Militar, Ciudad de Guatemala, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Sergio Santana Porbén
- Nutrition department, Hospital Pediatrico Docente "Juan Manuel Marquez,", La Habana, Cuba
| | - Charles Elleri Bermúdez
- Surgery and Nutrition Department, Clínica La Colina and Clínica del Country, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Yawelida García
- Faculty of Nutrition, Universidad O&M, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Isabel Calvo
- Nutrition service, Hospital General de Tijuana, Tijuana, Mexico
| | - Humberto Arenas
- Integrated Practice Unit on Intestinal Failure, Hospital San Javier, Guadalajara, Mexico
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Amakye WK, Bozovic S, Faraque A, Yao M, Ren J. Nutrition education in medical school: the case of international medical students in China. BMJ Nutr Prev Health 2020; 3:308-319. [PMID: 33521542 PMCID: PMC7841843 DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the knowledge on country-specific nutrition situation, perceptions of the nutrition curricula and factors influencing capacity to offer nutrition guidance among medical students studying internationally in China compared with their home-country counterparts. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTINGS China, Ghana, India and Montenegro. PARTICIPANTS International medical students in China and medical students studying in their home countries of Ghana, India and Montenegro. MAIN MEASURE An online semistructured questionnaire was administered using WeChat for international students and Microsoft Forms for home-country medical students to assess students' perceived knowledge and significance of nutrition, knowledge of country-specific nutrition situation, perceptions of the nutrition curricula and perceived capacity to offer nutrition counselling. RESULT In all, 190 medical students responded to the survey: 110 international students studying in China and 80 home-country students from Ghana (40), India (20) and Montenegro (20). Home-country students rated the importance of nutrition in health and disease development higher than international students (p<0.05). International students reported not having any specific nutrition courses while home-country students had nutrition courses as part of their curriculum. Only 8.2% of international students and 13.8% of home-country students were able to correctly mention any specific national nutrition guidelines of their home countries. Home-country students were more likely to provide correct nutrition recommendations for infants (χ²(3)=26.349; p=0.001), pregnancy (χ²(3)=9.793; p=0.007), lactating mothers (χ²(3)=9.112; p=0.011), diabetes (χ²(3)=13.619; p=0.001), hypertension (χ²(3)=12.022; p=0.002), overweight/obesity (χ²(3)=8.896; p=0.012) and undernutrition (χ²(3)=7.670; p=0.022) compared with international students. Practical nutrition courses, hours of nutrition education and how often students were asked nutrition-related questions tended to affect and predict the adequacy of nutrition education received and the perceived confidence for nutrition counselling. CONCLUSION International medical students in China are less familiar with the nutrition context in their respective home countries compared with their home-country counterparts. Medical schools in China that train significant numbers of international students need to support these students to become familiar with their respective countries' nutrition contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Kwame Amakye
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sladana Bozovic
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Arafat Faraque
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Maojin Yao
- Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease and China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaoyan Ren
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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Crowley J, Ball L, Wall C. How does self-perceived nutrition competence change over time during medical training? A prospective longitudinal observational study of New Zealand medical students. BMJ Nutr Prev Health 2020; 3:270-276. [PMID: 33521538 PMCID: PMC7841807 DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Medical nutrition education aims to equip doctors with nutrition knowledge, skills, attitudes and confidence to counsel patients to improve their diet. This study aimed to describe changes in medical students' self-perceived nutrition competence at three time points during medical training. DESIGN Prospective longitudinal observational study. SETTING The University of Auckland, School of Medicine. PARTICIPANTS Year 2 medical students (phase 1, preclinical) were surveyed in May 2016. Participants repeated the survey in February 2018 as Year 4 students and July 2019 (phase 2, clinical) as Year 5 students. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE Primary outcome measure was self-perceived nutrition competence measured using the validated NUTrition Competence (NUTCOMP) survey. RESULTS In 2016, 102 of 279 eligible Year 2 medical students completed the survey (response rate (RR 36.7%)). In 2018, 89 Year 4 students repeated the survey (RR 87.3%) and 30 students as Year 5 students in 2019 (RR 29.41%). There was a significant increase in total NUTCOMP scores (knowledge, skills, confidence to counsel and attitude towards nutrition) between Year 2 and Year 4 (p=0.012). There was a significant increase in the confidence to counsel construct (mean difference 7.615, 95% CI 2.291 to 12.939, p=0.003) between Year 2 and Year 4. Constructs with lowest scores at all time points were nutrition knowledge and nutrition skills. There was clear desire for more nutrition education from all students: Year 2 (mean=3.8 out of 5 (1.1)), Year 4 (mean=3.9 out of 5 (0.9)), Year 5 (mean=3.8 out of 5 (0.8)). CONCLUSION Medical students' self-perceived nutrition competence in providing nutrition care increased modestly at three points throughout medical training. There remains opportunity for further supporting medical students to increase their competence in nutrition care, which could be achieved through mandatory and greater medical nutrition education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Crowley
- Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lauren Ball
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University–Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Clare Wall
- Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Olfert MD, Wattick RA, Hagedorn RL. Experiences of Multidisciplinary Health Professionals From a Culinary Medicine Cultural Immersion: Qualitative Analysis. HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hpe.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Lepre B, Crowley J, Mpe D, Bhoopatkar H, Mansfield KJ, Wall C, Beck EJ. Australian and New Zealand Medical Students' Attitudes and Confidence Towards Providing Nutrition Care in Practice. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12030598. [PMID: 32106539 PMCID: PMC7146386 DOI: 10.3390/nu12030598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of lifestyle-related chronic disease is increasing. Doctors in primary care are ideally placed to support patient nutrition care, but recent reviews show education is still lacking. This study aimed to identify medical students’ attitudes towards the role of nutrition in health, nutrition knowledge, and perceptions of nutrition education, in postgraduate (Australia) and undergraduate (New Zealand) programs in order to identify gaps in nutrition knowledge and skills to better inform future education. Second-year graduate and third-year undergraduate students participated in semi-structured focus groups and interviews. A general inductive approach was used to investigate students’ (1) attitudes toward the role of nutrition in health, (2) nutrition knowledge based on nutrition-specific competencies and (3) perceived adequacy of nutrition education received. Interviews (nine) and focus groups (seven) identified four common themes: (1) role of medical practitioners in nutrition care, (2) barriers to nutrition education, (3) nutrition knowledge, and (4) nutrition-related skills. Students perceive that doctors are well-placed to provide some level of nutrition care, but poor translation of nutrition knowledge to clinical contexts is a key limitation in nutrition education. In summary, nutrition education may be insufficient to support the nutrition-related competency development of the undergraduate and postgraduate student participants in this study. Focusing on the integration of these skills into the curriculum may be a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna Lepre
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (K.J.M.); (E.J.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-422-954-050
| | - Jennifer Crowley
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (J.C.); (D.M.); (H.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Dineo Mpe
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (J.C.); (D.M.); (H.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Harsh Bhoopatkar
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (J.C.); (D.M.); (H.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Kylie J. Mansfield
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (K.J.M.); (E.J.B.)
| | - Clare Wall
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (J.C.); (D.M.); (H.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Eleanor J. Beck
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (K.J.M.); (E.J.B.)
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McHugh P, Smith M, Wright N, Bush S, Pullon S. If You Don't Eat Meat… You'll Die. A Mixed-Method Survey of Health-Professionals' Beliefs. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11123028. [PMID: 31835856 PMCID: PMC6950587 DOI: 10.3390/nu11123028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite an ever-increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and overwhelming evidence that good nutrition improves outcomes it is difficult to know whether this evidence is reaching the general population. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether health professionals in Tairāwhiti have sufficient nutrition education for their roles in health education and promotion and whether nutrition beliefs held by health professionals were consistent with current literature. A particular interest was to enlist views on the harms, benefits, and possible barriers to following plant-based diets. A mixed-methods study involving health professionals completing a questionnaire and a subsequent focus group to collect data was used. Survey data were analysed using spreadsheet software, and thematic content analysis of focus group data was undertaken. Participants provided nutrition advice 2.4 times per day. Almost half of practitioners considered their nutrition knowledge to be inadequate, and most made poor use of references for provision of information. Plant-based diets were generally viewed as beneficial to health, improve quality of life, be filling, but were perceived as not as easy to follow. This study is in keeping with previous research that the health workforce would benefit from more formalised nutrition education and competencies to address common chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick McHugh
- Te Hauora O Turanganui-A-Kiwa (Turanga Health), 4010 Gisborne, New Zealand
- Correspondence:
| | - Morgen Smith
- Plant-Based New Zealand Health Charity, 4010 Gisborne, New Zealand; (M.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Nicholas Wright
- Plant-Based New Zealand Health Charity, 4010 Gisborne, New Zealand; (M.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Sarah Bush
- Bioethics Centre (Te Pokapū Matatika Koiora), University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand;
| | - Sue Pullon
- Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice (Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo ki Te Whanga-Nui-a-Tara), University of Otago, 6242 Wellington, New Zealand;
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Crowley J, Ball L, Hiddink GJ. Nutrition in medical education: a systematic review. Lancet Planet Health 2019; 3:e379-e389. [PMID: 31538623 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(19)30171-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In many countries, doctors are recommended to provide nutrition care to patients to improve the dietary behaviours of individuals and populations. Here, we present a systematic review that aims to critically synthesise literature on nutrition education provided to medical students. METHODS In this systematic review, a literature search was done between May 1 and July 1, 2018, for articles on medical students' nutrition knowledge, skills, and confidence to counsel patients, from Nov 1, 2012, to Dec 31, 2018. Search terms related to medical students included "nutrition in medical education", "medical nutrition education", and "undergraduate medical nutrition education". Search terms for topic of interest included "nutrition", "knowledge", "skills", "nutrition counselling", "confidence", "nutrition care", or "nutrition education". Included studies examined any aspect of recently graduated (ie, ≤4 years) or current medical students' nutrition knowledge, attitudes, skills, or confidence (or all three) in nutrition or nutrition counselling; evaluated nutrition curriculum initiatives for medical students; or assessed recently graduated or current medical students' perceptions of nutrition education. Quality assessment appraisal of the studies was done using a Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Curriculum initiatives were also appraised. FINDINGS 66 studies were identified by the search and 24 were eligible for full-text analysis. 16 quantitative studies, three qualitative studies, and five curriculum initiatives from the USA (n=11), Europe (n=4), the Middle East (n=1), Africa (n=1), and Australasia (n=7) met the inclusion criteria. Our analysis of these studies showed that nutrition is insufficiently incorporated into medical education, regardless of country, setting, or year of medical education. Deficits in nutrition education affect students' knowledge, skills, and confidence to implement nutrition care into patient care. A modest positive effect was reported from curriculum initiatives. INTERPRETATION Despite the centrality of nutrition to healthy lifestyle, medical students are not supported to provide high-quality, effective nutrition care. Medical education can be enhanced by institutional commitment to make nutrition education compulsory in medical training, establishment of nutrition competencies to provide a benchmark for nutrition knowledge and skills to be included in curricula, and supported by funding for innovative curriculum initiatives. These initiatives will improve nutrition in medical training to support future doctors for the 21st century. FUNDING Sir John Logan Campbell Medical Fellowship 2017, and an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Crowley
- Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medical Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Lauren Ball
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Gerrit Jan Hiddink
- Strategic Communication Chair Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Mondala MM, Sannidhi D. Catalysts for Change: Accelerating the Lifestyle Medicine Movement Through Professionals in Training. Am J Lifestyle Med 2019; 13:487-494. [PMID: 31523214 DOI: 10.1177/1559827619844505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
While the Western diet has evolved to become increasingly high in saturated fat, cholesterol, protein, sugar, and salt intake, nutrition education and training of health care professionals to counsel their patients on the hazards of such a diet has trailed behind. Primary care physicians have an opportunity to bridge the gap by providing nutrition and dietary counseling as key components in the delivery of preventive services. Increasing research points to the value of a whole-foods plant-based diet in combating chronic disease, yet the knowledge of health professionals about the topic is comparable to that of the general public. This education crisis is apparent in medical training with restricted time for dedicated lectures on nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, emotional well-being, and avoidance of risky substance use. Together, educators and learners are valuable catalysts for culture change in medical education, training, and clinical practice. Barriers to physician ability to counsel about lifestyle are many, but one that stands out is lack of training and comfort with counseling. This has implications for the training of health care professionals. American College of Lifestyle Medicine has a committee, Professionals in Training, composed of interprofessional and multidisciplinary students, residents, and fellows nationally and worldwide who are committed to expanding exposure to lifestyle medicine and implementation of lifestyle medicine in parallel curriculum and personal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Mondala
- Department of Preventative and Family Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California (MMM).,Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California (DS)
| | - Deepa Sannidhi
- Department of Preventative and Family Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California (MMM).,Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California (DS)
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10
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Providing Nutrition Care to Patients with Chronic Disease: An Irish Teaching Hospital Healthcare Professional Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1155/2018/1657624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
An increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and chronic illness is putting an ever increasing burden on healthcare services and delivery worldwide. Diet contributes significantly to the development of NCDs. Nutrition should therefore be viewed as an important aspect of patient care and be addressed by all healthcare professionals (HCPs). Previous work has highlighted a lack of competency around providing nutrition advice in HCPs; however, positive attitudes towards the importance of nutrition care are well documented in this group. The aim of this study is to document and compare Irish HCPs self-perceived competency towards incorporating nutrition care into practice. The NUTCOMP questionnaire was completed by 206 HCPs in Sligo University Hospital. The findings showed positive attitudes towards the incorporation of nutrition care into HCP practice; however, confidence in knowledge and skills was low, thus missing vital opportunities to prevent and/or treat chronic diseases and improve outcomes in acute illness. Previous nutrition education was associated with greater self-perceived knowledge about and skills in providing nutrition care to patients and positively associated with attitudes towards incorporating nutrition care into practice. HCPs expressed a desire and unmet need for additional and ongoing educational intervention in the area of nutritional intervention.
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11
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Mogre V, Stevens FCJ, Aryee PA, Amalba A, Scherpbier AJJA. Why nutrition education is inadequate in the medical curriculum: a qualitative study of students' perspectives on barriers and strategies. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2018; 18:26. [PMID: 29433505 PMCID: PMC5809975 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-018-1130-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The provision of nutrition care by doctors is important in promoting healthy dietary habits, and such interventions can lead to reductions in disease morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. However, medical students and doctors report inadequate nutrition education and preparedness during their training at school. Previous studies investigating the inadequacy of nutrition education have not sufficiently evaluated the perspectives of students. In this study, students' perspectives on doctors' role in nutrition care, perceived barriers, and strategies to improve nutrition educational experiences are explored. METHODS A total of 23 undergraduate clinical level medical students at the 5th to final year in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University for Development Studies in Ghana were purposefully selected to participate in semi-structured individual interviews. Students expressed their opinions and experiences regarding the inadequacy of nutrition education in the curriculum. Each interview was audio-recorded and later transcribed verbatim. Using the constant comparison method, key themes were identified from the data and analysis was done simultaneously with data collection. RESULTS Students opined that doctors have an important role to play in providing nutrition care to their patients. However, they felt their nutrition education was inadequate due to lack of priority for nutrition education, lack of faculty to provide nutrition education, poor application of nutrition science to clinical practice and poor collaboration with nutrition professionals. Students opined that their nutrition educational experiences will be improved if the following strategies were implemented: adoption of innovative teaching and learning strategies, early and comprehensive incorporation of nutrition as a theme throughout the curriculum, increasing awareness on the importance of nutrition education, reviewing and revision of the curriculum to incorporate nutrition, and involving nutrition/dietician specialists in medical education. CONCLUSION Though students considered nutrition care as an important role for doctors they felt incapacitated by non-prioritisation of nutrition education, lack of faculty for teaching of nutrition education, poor application of nutrition science and poor collaboration with nutrition professionals. Incorporation of nutrition as a theme in medical education, improving collaboration, advocacy and creating enabling environments for nutrition education could address some of the barriers to nutrition education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Mogre
- Department of Health Professions Education and Innovative Learning, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box TL, 1883 Tamale, Ghana
- School of Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Fred C. J. Stevens
- School of Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul A. Aryee
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Anthony Amalba
- Department of Health Professions Education and Innovative Learning, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box TL, 1883 Tamale, Ghana
| | - Albert J. J. A. Scherpbier
- School of Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Schoendorfer N, Gannaway D, Jukic K, Ulep R, Schafer J. Future Doctors' Perceptions about Incorporating Nutrition into Standard Care Practice. J Am Coll Nutr 2017; 36:565-571. [DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2017.1333928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Deanne Gannaway
- University of Queensland, Teaching and Educational Development Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Katherine Jukic
- University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, Australia
| | - Robin Ulep
- University of Queensland, Medical Education, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jennifer Schafer
- University of Queensland, Medical Education, Brisbane, Australia
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13
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Burch E, Crowley J, Laur C, Ray S, Ball L. Dietitians' Perspectives on Teaching Nutrition to Medical Students. J Am Coll Nutr 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2017.1318316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Burch
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Jennifer Crowley
- Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health (Affiliated with Cambridge University Health Partners, Wolfson College Cambridge and the British Dietetic Association), St. John's Innovation Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Celia Laur
- NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health (Affiliated with Cambridge University Health Partners, Wolfson College Cambridge and the British Dietetic Association), St. John's Innovation Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sumantra Ray
- NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health (Affiliated with Cambridge University Health Partners, Wolfson College Cambridge and the British Dietetic Association), St. John's Innovation Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren Ball
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
- NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health (Affiliated with Cambridge University Health Partners, Wolfson College Cambridge and the British Dietetic Association), St. John's Innovation Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Crowley J, Ball L, Wall C. Nutrition advice provided by general practice registrars: an investigation using patient scenarios. Public Health 2016; 140:17-22. [PMID: 27745893 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2016.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nutrition is recognized as a strong factor influencing the health outcomes of patients with chronic disease. General practitioners (GPs) require nutrition knowledge and skills to support patients to have healthy dietary behaviours. OBJECTIVE To investigate New Zealand GP registrars' provision of nutrition advice using patient scenarios. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study design targeted GP registrars to investigate the nutrition care they provided to patients. METHODS Fourty-seven GP registrars completed a survey at a training event. The survey included patient scenarios. Respondents were asked to provide nutrition advice for each scenario, in line with best practice guidelines. Responses to each scenario were scored based on a panel of nutrition experts. Regression analysis was used to compare the scores to participants' previously reported confidence to provide nutrition care. RESULTS Seventeen male (36.2%) and thirty female (63.8%) GP registrars completed the survey, giving a response rate of 92.2%. GP registrars scored a mean of 7.9 ± 0.2 out of 15 for recall of dietary strategies with the scenarios. There was no association between GP registrars' scenario scores and their confidence to provide nutrition care. CONCLUSIONS An evidence-practice gap exists for New Zealand GP registrars' confidence to provide nutrition care, and their knowledge of evidence-based nutritional guidelines to support patients to have healthy dietary behaviours. A better understanding of the determinants of this disparity is required in order to support optimal nutrition care by GPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Crowley
- Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
| | - L Ball
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, 4222, Australia
| | - C Wall
- Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
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