scholarly journals Australian and New Zealand Medical Students’ Attitudes and Confidence towards Providing Nutrition Care in Practice

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Breanna Lepre ◽  
Jennifer Crowley ◽  
Dineo Mpe ◽  
Harsh Bhoopatkar ◽  
Kylie J. Mansfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Nutrition Care ◽  
Students Attitudes

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.

scholarly journals New Zealand Medical Students Have Positive Attitudes and Moderate Confidence in Providing Nutrition Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Crowley ◽  
Lauren Ball ◽  
Dug Yeo Han ◽  
Bruce Arroll ◽  
Michael Leveritt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutrition Care ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Inadequate Nutrition

Throughout the world, medical students and doctors report inadequate nutrition education and subsequently lack of knowledge, attitude, and skills to include nutrition in patient care. This study described New Zealand’s students’ attitudes to and self-perceived skills in providing nutrition care in practice as well as perceived quantity and quality of nutrition education received in training. 183 medical students from New Zealand’s largest medical school (response rate 52%) completed a 65-item questionnaire, partially validated, using 5-point Likert scales. Students believed incorporating nutrition care into practice is important, yet they were less confident patients improve nutrition behaviours after receiving this care. Students were confident in skills related to nutrition in health and disease but less confident in skills related to general food knowledge. Greater quantity and quality of nutrition education received was associated with greater self-perceived skills in providing nutrition care to patients but not with attitudes towards incorporating nutrition care into practice. This cohort of New Zealand medical students places similarly high importance on nutrition care as students and doctors from other countries. Further investigations beyond graduation are required to inform whether additional nutrition education is warranted for these doctors.

Information-seeking to Support Personal and Community Wellbeing: Report of a study of New Zealand Men Using Focus Groups

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peta Wellstead
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Groupes De Discussion

This paper reports part of an ongoing study exploring the information behaviour of New Zealand men during periods of diminished health and wellbeing. Focus groups were used for this iteration of the study. Results indicate that New Zealand men face both personal and structural constraints to their information-seeking during periods when their health and wellbeing may be compromised. This study highlights that service providers need to develop more effective information delivery mechanisms and support services for men. These services need to be appealing to men and reflect men’s information seeking preferences. The role of LIS professionals in supporting this endeavour is discussed. Cet article présente une étude en cours explorant le comportement informationnel d’ hommes néo-zélandais durant des périodes où leur état de santé et de bien-être est amoindri. Des groupes de discussion ont été utilisés pour cette itération de l'étude. Les résultats indiquent que les hommes en Nouvelle-Zélande font face à des contraintes à la fois  personnelles et structurelles dans leur recherche d'information pendant les périodes où leur santé et leur bien-être peuvent être affaiblis. Cette étude met en évidence le besoin pour les fournisseurs de services de développer des mécanismes de diffusion de l'information plus efficaces et des services de soutien pour les hommes. Ces services doivent être attrayants et refléter les préférences des hommes dans leurs recherches d’information. Le rôle des professionnels de l'information dans le soutien à cette entreprise est discuté.

Medical students’ perceptions of nutrition education in Canadian universities

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah M. Gramlich ◽  
Dana Lee Olstad ◽  
Roseanne Nasser ◽  
Laki Goonewardene ◽  
Maitreyi Raman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Canadian Universities ◽  
Survey Response Rate ◽  
Nutrition Instruction

Patients routinely seek physicians’ guidance about diet and the relation between nutrition and the prevention and treatment of disease. However, the adequacy of nutrition instruction in undergraduate medical education is questionable. The purpose of this study was to investigate Canadian medical students’ perceptions of and satisfaction with their education in nutrition. At 9 universities across Canada, a 23-item survey questionnaire was distributed in English and French to undergraduate medical students after at least 8 months of medical school. Overall, 9 of 17 universities participated in the survey, and 933 of the 3267 medical students approached completed the survey (response rate, 28.6%). Mean satisfaction with nutrition instruction received during medical school was 4.7 (±0.06) on a scale of 1–10, where 1 is very dissatisfied and 10 is very satisfied, and there were significant differences among schools (p < 0.0001). Students were comfortable in their ability to counsel patients regarding basic nutrition concepts and the role of nutrition in prevention of disease, but were much less comfortable discussing the role of nutrition in the treatment of disease and nutrient requirements across the lifecycle, and in identifying credible sources of nutrition information. Of the 933 respondents, 87.2% believe that their undergraduate program should dedicate more time to nutrition education. The amount of nutrition instruction correlated with student satisfaction (p < 0.0001), but varied among schools. A significant number of students are dissatisfied with the nutrition education they receive and their ability to provide relevant and appropriate nutrition counselling. This study paves the way for further discussions and development of strategies to improve nutrition education in medical schools in Canada.

scholarly journals General practitioners’ views on providing nutrition care to patients with chronic disease: a focus group study

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Crowley ◽  
Lauren Ball ◽  
Anne-Thea McGill ◽  
Stephen Buetow ◽  
Bruce Arroll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Nutrition Care ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
Consultation Time

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Nutrition care refers to practices conducted by health professionals to support patients to improve their dietary intake. General practitioners (GPs) are expected to provide nutrition care to patients for prevention and management of chronic disease. AIM This study explores GPs’ opinions regarding nutrition care provision to patients with chronic disease. METHODS An interpretive descriptive approach to qualitative research using seven semi-structured focus groups with 48 GPs in Auckland was used. Focus groups investigated how GPs felt about providing nutrition care; the perceived barriers to and support required for this care; the development of further nutrition knowledge and skills; and possible roles for Practice Nurses. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach. RESULTS GPs indicated routine provision of basic nutrition care to patients with chronic disease, but perceived their limited consultation time and nutrition competence constrained their capacity to provide nutrition care. GPs felt they needed further information to provide culturally, socially and economically sensitive nutrition care. GPs displayed variable opinions on the benefits of developing their nutrition knowledge and skills, and the idea of Practice Nurses providing nutrition care. CONCLUSIONS Despite perceiving that nutrition care is important for patients with chronic disease and facing barriers to providing nutrition care, GPs appear reluctant to further develop their knowledge and skills and for Practice Nurses to provide this care. Strategies to enhance GPs’ nutrition-related self-efficacy, nutrition cultural competence and attitudes towards further training care may be warranted.

scholarly journals Doctors' attitudes and confidence towards providing nutrition care in practice: Comparison of New Zealand medical students, general practice registrars and general practitioners

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Crowley ◽  
Lauren Ball ◽  
Dug Yeo Han ◽  
Anne-Thea McGill ◽  
Bruce Arroll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Nutrition Therapy ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Nutrition Care ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Health Knowledge Attitudes Practice

INTRODUCTION: Improvements in individuals' nutrition behaviour can improve risk factors and outcomes associated with lifestyle-related chronic diseases. AIM: This study describes and compares New Zealand medical students, general practice registrars and general practitioners' (GPs') attitudes towards incorporating nutrition care into practice, and self-perceived skills in providing nutrition care. METHODS: A total of 183 New Zealand medical students, 51 general practice registrars and 57 GPs completed a 60-item questionnaire investigating attitudes towards incorporating nutrition care into practice and self-perceived skills in providing nutrition care. Items were scored using a 5-point Likert scale. Factor analysis was conducted to group questionnaire items and a generalised linear model compared differences between medical students, general practice registrars and GPs. RESULTS: All groups indicated that incorporating nutrition care into practice is important. GPs displayed more positive attitudes than students towards incorporating nutrition in routine care (p<0.0001) and performing nutrition recommendations (p<0.0001). General practice registrars were more positive than students towards performing nutrition recommendations (p=0.004), specified practices (p=0.037), and eliciting behaviour change (p=0.024). All groups displayed moderate confidence towards providing nutrition care. GPs were more confident than students in areas relating to wellness and disease (p<0.0001); macronutrients (p=0.030); micronutrients (p=0.010); and women, infants and children (p<0.0001). DISCUSSION: New Zealand medical students, general practice registrars and GPs have positive attitudes and moderate confidence towards incorporating nutrition care into practice. It is possible that GPs' experience providing nutrition care contributes to greater confidence. Strategies to facilitate medical students developing confidence in providing nutrition care are warranted. KEYWORDS: General practitioner; health knowledge, attitudes, practice; medical education; nutrition therapy

scholarly journals Assessment of Students’ Perception of the Nutrition Curriculum in a Canadian Undergraduate Medical Education Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy Hanninen ◽  
Mohsin Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Education ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Nutrition Curriculum ◽  
Medical Education Program ◽  
Nutrition Training

AbstractBackgroundNutrition plays an important role in diseases, and physicians need to be proficient in providing nutrition counselling to patients. There is limited information regarding nutrition education in Canadian medical schools.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate students’ perspectives about nutrition training provided in the undergraduate medical education program at Dalhousie University.MethodsAll medical students in their second, third, and fourth years of training at Dalhousie University were surveyed online with a 23-item questionnaire that included 10 nutrition competencies.ResultsOf 342 students, 89 (26%) completed the survey. Using a five-point Likert scale, ranging from one, indicating ‘very dissatisfied/strongly disagree’ to five, indicating ‘very satisfied/strongly agree,’ the mean overall satisfaction with nutrition curriculum was 2.9 ± 0.81. Perceived competency in nutrition assessment had the highest mean satisfaction rating (3.98 ± 0.89). There was more variance on perceived competency, with other aspects of training including basic nutrition principles (3.51 ± 0.92), disease prevention (3.14 ± 1.12), disease management (3.48 ± 1.00), role of dietitians (2.97 ± 1.05), credible nutrition sources (3.14 ± 1.09), dietary assessment (2.82 ± 1.11), lifecycle nutrition (2.67 ± 1.09), food security (2.4 ± 0.95) and malnutrition (2.74 ± 0.93). Med-4 students agreed significantly more than Med-2 students regarding confidence about their understanding of the role of dietitians. Students recommended a longitudinal nutrition program, inclusion of dietitians as educators, and provision of evidence-based resources in the curriculum. The majority (79%) agreed that more nutrition instruction is needed. Satisfaction with nutrition education has not improved since 2010, despite curricular changes.ConclusionsMedical students’ satisfaction with nutrition education remains problematic. They want more nutrition training. Ongoing assessment and student feedback is important to make changes and improvements in the nutrition curriculum.

Role of behavioral sciences in development of professionalism among MBBS students

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9
Author(s):  
Ammara Butt ◽  
Abid Ashar
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
P Value ◽  
Behavioral Sciences ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Students Attitudes

Background: Professionalism is a global quality expected in medical students’ along with clinical skills. Behavioral sciences have been included in 3rd year MBBS curriculum since 2014 at FJMU. The purpose of this change is to enhance Professionalism formally in addition to other areas of the subject. This study aims to determine effectiveness of studying behavioral sciences as a subject in enhancing elements of Professionalism. Subjects and Methods: The mixed-methods study was used and a sample of 240 3rd year medical students was taken by convenient sampling. In the first (quantitative) phase of the study, Penn State College of Medicine Professionalism Questionnaire (PSCOM-PQ) was administered before and after studying behavioral sciences as a subject, to collect pre and post statistical results about students’ attitudes towards professionalism. The results were analyzed by paired sample t-test. In the second (qualitative) phase, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted to reveal the reasons for professionalism development and role of Behavioral Sciences in its development. 8 students were selected by purposeful homogeneous sampling technique. FGD session was audio-taped and transcribed, finally thematic analysis was done. Results: The results showed highly significant increase (p-value= 0.00, t= -74.39, mean= -72, SD= 14.99) in the scores of Professionalism after studying behavioral sciences as a subject. The broad themes identified by FGD were “Professionalism Related Skills Learned through Behavioral Sciences” and “Modes of Information Transfers’ Role in Professionalism Understanding”. The professional skills conceptualized by the students included emotional stability, empathy, psychoeducation, confidentiality, competency and sense of responsibility. The participants felt that professionalism develops by the means of lectures, workshops, role plays, modeling and formal assessment sessions. Conclusion: Study of behavioral science has significant effect in the development of professionalism among MBBS students and is well received by third year MBBS students.

scholarly journals How does self-perceived nutrition competence change over time during medical training? A prospective longitudinal observational study of New Zealand medical students

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjnph-2020-000080
Author(s):  
Jennifer Crowley ◽  
Lauren Ball ◽  
Clare Wall
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Nutrition Care ◽  
Longitudinal Observational Study ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Medical Nutrition

ObjectivesMedical 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.DesignProspective longitudinal observational study.SettingThe University of Auckland, School of Medicine.ParticipantsYear 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 measurePrimary outcome measure was self-perceived nutrition competence measured using the validated NUTrition Competence (NUTCOMP) survey.ResultsIn 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)).ConclusionMedical 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.

scholarly journals Australian practice nurses’ perceptions of their role and competency to provide nutrition care to patients living with chronic disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Cass ◽  
Lauren Ball ◽  
Michael Leveritt
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Primary Care Setting ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Nutrition Care ◽  
Nurses Perceptions ◽  
Basic Level

Nutrition is important in the management of chronic disease, and practice nurses in the Australian primary care setting are increasingly providing nutrition care to patients living with chronic disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate practice nurses’ perceptions of their role and competency to provide nutrition care to patients living with chronic disease in Australia. Twenty practice nurses currently employed in general practice participated in an individual semi-structured telephone interview. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Practice nurses perceived themselves to be in a prime position to provide opportunistic nutrition care to patients. Participants perceived that the ideal role of a practice nurse is to advocate for nutrition and provide a basic level of nutrition care to patients; however, the interpretation of the term ‘basic’ varied between participants. Participants perceived that practice nurses are highly trusted and approachable, which they valued as important characteristics for the provision of nutrition care. Barriers to providing nutrition care included time constraints, lack of nutrition knowledge and lack of confidence. Participants were concerned about the availability and accessibility of nutrition education opportunities for practice nurses. The present study has demonstrated that practice nurses perceive themselves as having a significant role in the provision of nutrition care to patients with chronic disease in the Australian primary care setting. Further investigation of strategies to enhance the effectiveness of nutrition care provision by practice nurses is warranted.

Medical Students’ Attitudes Towards a Career in Psychiatry before and after Viewing a Promotional DVD

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasha Robertson ◽  
Garry Walter ◽  
Nerissa Soh ◽  
Glenn Hunt ◽  
Michelle Cleary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Modest Improvement ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Scientific Foundation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The University

Objectives: The objectives were, first, to determine attitudes towards psychiatry as a career among medical students currently enrolled at the University of Sydney and, second, to establish the immediate impact on those attitudes of a promotional DVD, released by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Method: Medical students enrolled in the University of Sydney in 2008 were invited to complete a voluntary online questionnaire, in which their attitudes towards psychiatry were explored, and the immediate effects of a 15-minute DVD were ascertained. Results: A total of 123 students participated. Only one student identified psychiatry as their chosen career. Medical students viewed psychiatry as the least attractive specialty for the degree to which patients are helped effectively and in terms of having a reliable scientific foundation. However, it rated well in regard to being intellectually challenging, a rapidly advancing field of medicine, and providing research opportunities and a good lifestyle. Psychiatry is less respected than most other specialties by students and they perceive this discipline to be poorly respected by other medical students and current medical practitioners. After viewing the DVD, there were improved student ratings of the benefits of a career in psychiatry, especially in relation to the specialty being enjoyable, offering effective treatment and having a scientific foundation. There was also enhanced understanding of the role of a psychiatrist in just over half of the participants and increased interest in psychiatry in about 30% of participants. The DVD was most effective in increasing awareness of the diversity of subspecialties available within psychiatry, good lifestyle factors, and the training involved. Conclusion: Among medical students, psychiatry is perceived as unattractive and fails to command the respect afforded other specialties. The viewing of a promotional DVD by medical students was found to be effective in improving their attitudes towards psychiatry and increasing their interest in pursuing a career in the specialty. However, the long-term impact of this modest improvement is unknown and the low survey response rate limits the extent to which the results can be generalized.

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