scholarly journals Impact of an Expansion of a Clinical Nutrition Curriculum on Pre-Clerkship Medical Students’ Perception of Their Knowledge and Skills Related to Performing a Nutritional Assessment

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4081
Author(s):  
Trey Keel ◽  
Doreen M. Olvet ◽  
Marie Cavuoto Petrizzo ◽  
Janice T. John ◽  
Rebecca Dougherty ◽  
...  

Learning how to provide nutritional counseling to patients should start early in undergraduate medical education to improve the knowledge, comfort, and confidence of physicians. Two nutrition workshops were developed for first-year medical students. The first workshop, co-led by physicians and registered dieticians, focused on obtaining nutrition assessments. The second workshop focused on the appropriate dietary counseling of patients with chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular risk. We surveyed students before workshop 1, after workshop 1, and after workshop 2 to assess their perceptions of the value of physician nutrition knowledge and counseling skills as well as their own comfort in the area of nutritional knowledge, assessment, and counseling. We found a significant improvement in their self-assessed level of knowledge regarding counseling patients, in their comfort in completing a nutritional assessment, and in their confidence in advising a patient about nutrition by the end of the first workshop. By the time of the second workshop five months later, students continued to report a high level of knowledge, comfort, and confidence. The implementation of clinical nutrition workshops with a focus on assessment, management, and counseling was found to be effective in increasing student’s self-assessed level of knowledge as well as their confidence and comfort in advising patients on nutrition. Our findings further support the previous assertion that clinical nutrition education can be successfully integrated into the pre-clerkship medical school curriculum.

Author(s):  
Lindsey K. Leggett ◽  
Kareem Ahmed ◽  
Cheryl Vanier ◽  
Amina Sadik

AbstractTime allocated to nutrition education in the medical school curriculum stands in contrast to high mortality rates attributable to poor diet in patients. Counseling patients on nutrition-related diseases is a critical skill for physicians, particularly those entering primary care. The crowded medical school curriculum has made adding hours of nutrition instruction difficult. This study evaluates the attitudes of undergraduate medical students at a single institution regarding the need for and relevance of nutrition education and reports on organization of and students’ responses to a short experimental elective. Student attitudes regarding nutrition in medicine and a proposed nutrition elective were surveyed. Results helped formulate a short experimental elective. A two-session experimental course was completed, after which the participants were surveyed. Students agreed or strongly agreed with statements regarding the importance of nutrition in clinical practice. Greater than 60% of students surveyed in each class were interested in the proposed elective. All participants found the elective with culinary medicine sessions at least moderately useful to their needs as future healthcare providers. The majority of participants (more than 93%) reported being likely to both take and recommend the elective should it be offered in the future. Medical students consider nutrition an essential aspect of a patient encounter, but do not feel prepared to counsel future patients on dietary changes for management and/or prevention of nutrition linked diseases. There is strong student support for creating an elective in clinical nutrition with culinary medicine sessions to address the gap in their education and improve their confidence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Mansour M.A. Ghaleb ◽  

Background:Nutritional knowledge plays a very important role in nutritional status. Evaluatenutritional knowledge among medical and non-medical female students at university of science and technology in Sanaa city, was the objective of present study. Methods: Cross-sectional study, was performed using a systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews using pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaires on a period of two month from January to February 2019. Questionnaires was developed in two sections. The data was cleaned and coded then analyzed using SPSS version 21. Result: One hundred and twenty students were enrolled in this study. All of them were females. Their ages ranged between 18 years and 30 years. The most frequent age group (56.7%) was located between 21-23 years.Majority of students 100(83.3%) had good or excellent nutritional knowledge. Most of them 55(45.8%) were in clinical nutrition and dietetics department. In conclusion, students in clinical nutrition and dietetics department had better nutritional knowledge than students in English department. The difference was significant as indicated by Pearson Chi-Square (p value =.000),. There was also a significant correlation between nutritional knowledge with department, study year also attended nutritional courses(all p values < 0.05). Current findings suggest nutrition education curriculum is compulsory in every study field, and it is need for coordinated efforts to promote nutrition education programs among medical students in general and non-medical students in particularto improve nutritional knowledge of students.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Elaine Hardman ◽  
Bobby L. Miller ◽  
Darshana T. Shah

Nutrition education is an essential component of medical education if new physicians are to be equipped to address common chronic diseases, including obesity and the associated diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Most medical students recognize this need and desire nutrition education; however, finding time in a medical school curriculum and funding are challenging. Available, free online resources and small group exercises can be utilized to provide basic, up-to-date nutrition information to medical students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jang Sun Lim ◽  
Sanghun Lee ◽  
Han Ho Do ◽  
Kyu Ho Oh

Objectives. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is a useful examination to identify lung problems. Unfortunately, there are currently no LUS educational programs for medical students. We designed a brief LUS training course for medical students during the ED rotation. The purpose of training was improving cognitive and psychomotor learning domains, knowledge of ultrasound, knowledge of LUS, image acquisition, and image interpretation. Methods. Forty students in their fourth year of medical school were enrolled in this study. Student achievement was evaluated through examinations of cognitive and psychomotor skills. A survey was administered following the training. Results. The average test result was 42.1 ± 13.7 before training and 82.6 ± 10.7 after training. With respect to the assessment of LUS performance, the acceptable rates for right and left anterior chest wall scanning and right and left posterolateral scanning were 95%, 97.5%, 92.5%, and 100%, respectively. The students felt a high level of confidence in their ability to administer LUS to patients after training and they agreed that inclusion of LUS training in the medical school curriculum is necessary. Conclusion. This study showed that, among the medical students without ultrasound experience, limited LUS education to improve their knowledge, image acquisition, and interpretation ability was successful.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy Hanninen ◽  
Mohsin Rashid

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Proches Arobogast Vara ◽  
Luyeye Sostenes Buhulula ◽  
Fatma Aziz Mohammed ◽  
Bernard Njau

Abstract Background HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) is universally accepted as an innovative strategy complimenting existing HIV testing services to archive the UNAIDS, 95-95-95 goals by 2030. However, the adoption of HIVST is lagging in most sub-Saharan countries, including Tanzania. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, acceptability, and willingness to use HIVST among Medical students in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study using a self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was conducted from May to June 2019 among 271 medical students aged 18–44 years enrolled in a degree of Medicine course at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College. Results A total of 271 participants were enrolled (response rate of 100%). The mean age was 23.9 (SD 2.9), the majority (91%) were Christians, being single (92%), and a half (50.2%) were males. More than half (55.7%) was sexually active, 67.5% reported the age of first sexual debut at 19 years and above. The majority (81.5%) reported that they had one sexual partner, 37% used condoms during the last sexual act. The majority (98.7%) had never had a sexually transmitted disease during the past 3 months, 22.5% reported using alcohol when having sex. More than three-quarters (79%) ever tested for HIV, and 41.6% tested for HIV in the past year. More than two-thirds (67.9%) had a high level of knowledge on oral fluid HIV self-test. Being a female was related with high level of knowledge (P = 0.225). The acceptability of HIVST was 62.7%, and about two-thirds showed a willingness to buy a self-test kit if available for public use. Conclusions The high level of knowledge on oral fluid HIV self-testing, acceptability and willingness to buy self-test kit if available for public use among sexually active medical students underscores the importance of introducing HIVST as a complementary approach for existing HIV testing services in this setting. To make HIVST effective, interventionist should address concerns associated with self-testing, such as lack of pre and post-test counseling, suicidal risks after receiving HIV positive results, perceived risks of inaccurate HIVST test results, lack of linkage to care of individuals receiving HIV positive results, perceived risks of intimate partner violence, coercive testing of a female partner, and perceived high cost of buying self-test kits.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Inês Barreiros Mota ◽  
Inês Castelo ◽  
Juliana Morais ◽  
Miguel Anjos ◽  
João Pedro Costa ◽  
...  

Introduction: Nutrition has been underrepresented in the curriculum of many medical schools and therefore physicians do not feel adequately prepared to provide dietary counselling. The aim of the present study is to determine the impact of a Nutrition and Metabolism curricular unit on nutrition attitudes, knowledge and confidence on future clinical practice of medical students.Material and Methods: All the students enrolled in the curricular unit (2017/2018) were invited to complete a questionnaire assessing their nutritional knowledge and eating habits at the beginning and at the end of the semester (n = 310).Results: Initially, students reported good eating habits and nutrition knowledge. These aspects improved at the end of the study. Moreover, students reported that they felt more confident to do dietary counselling after intervention.Discussion: Most medical students answered affirmatively to all questions related with good habits or eating behaviours, and the acquisition of knowledge had an impact in specific attitudes. After the Nutrition and Metabolism classes the students felt able to provide dietary counselling in different clinical settings, but none of the students felt extremely confident about their competencies for dietary counselling. This can be due to the fact that the students involved were in the first year of the integrated master’s degree in medicine, which is a preclinical year, and thus distant from the medical reality and from contact with patients.Conclusion: Nutrition education can have a positive impact on attitudes and eating behaviours, knowledge and in the perception of competencies for dietary counselling.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762098867
Author(s):  
Kara F. Morton ◽  
Diana C. Pantalos ◽  
Craig Ziegler ◽  
Pradip D. Patel

Purpose. To evaluate medical students’ and family medicine residents’ perceptions of their current degree of nutrition training in general and regarding a whole-foods, plant-based (WFPB) diet. Methods. An original survey instrument was administered to medical students and family medicine residents. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to evaluate perceptions of nutrition education in medical training, a WFPB diet, and ideas for nutrition-focused curricular reform. Results. Of the 668 trainees surveyed, 200 responded (response rate = 30%). Of these, 22% agreed that they received sufficient nutrition education in medical school and 41% agreed that a WFPB diet should be a focus. Respondents with personal experiences with a plant-based diet were more willing to recommend it to future patients. Common ideas for curricular reform were instruction on a WFPB diet along with other healthy dietary patterns, patient counseling, a dedicated nutrition course, and electives. Conclusions. Nutrition education in US medical training needs improvement to address the growing burden of obesity-related chronic disease. Proper nutrition and lifestyle modification should therefore play a larger role in the education of future physicians. A focus on plant-predominant diets, such as the WFPB diet, may be an acceptable and effective addition to current medical school curriculum, and deserves further study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada ◽  
David Bamidele Olakorede ◽  
Chizoba Favour Igwe ◽  
Clara Toyin Fatoye ◽  
Funminiyi Sunday Olatoye ◽  
...  

Background: Harnessing the potentials of applications (apps) for clinical training and practice has turned into the focal point of innovation. Objectives: The current study was aimed to determine knowledge, perception, and medical apps use among medical students of a Nigerian University. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 320 medical students (193 males and 127 females) are participated, with a response rate of 90.9%. The face and content validity was determined by a pilot test on obtained information about knowledge, perception, and use of medical applications, as well as socio-demographic characteristics. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Alpha level was set at P < 0.05. Results: The 12-months and point prevalence of smartphone ownership and using smartphone-based medical apps were 90% and 81.9%; and 65.9% and 50.9%, respectively. There was a high level of knowledge (81.9%), and positive perception (80%) about medical apps use. Knowledge of medical apps usage was significantly associated with each of age (χ2 = 30.541, P = 0.001) and academic levels (χ2 = 19.270, P = 0.001). A significant association was found between the perception of medical apps and age (χ2 = 13.554, P = 0.004). Also, there was a significant association between current use of medical apps and each of age (χ2 = 12.018, P = 0.007) and academic levels (χ2 =11.297, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Although smartphone ownership was high among Nigerian medical students, their usage of smartphone-based medical apps was moderate. Being of younger age and higher level of study are major contributors to a high level of knowledge and positive perception about medical apps use.


Author(s):  
Iffat Ghani

Mother is a main caretaker of their children particularly during the first three to six years of life when they are at the risk of being undernourished. How well she takes care of her children to keep them healthy will depend upon the level of her knowledge regarding childcare and nutrition and various associated factors. As such this study was planned to assess and enhance the extent of knowledge among women beneficiaries of ICDS (Integrated child development Service Scheme) centers of district Budgam of Kashmir region. With an  intension  to surpass  and facilitate the knowledge of women beneficiaries  this study was taken up with a sample  of 600 registered women beneficiaries of AWCs (Anganwadi centers) out of which 150 were nursing mothers, (NM) 150 were pregnant women (PW) and 300 were mothers of child beneficiaries (MCB having children in the age group 6 months-3years. The tool used for assessing the knowledge level was a self-devised rating scale designed to measure the nutritional knowledge related to importance of different kinds (variety) of foods for adequate/ optimal growth and development of a child. Further, in order to divide the levels of nutritional knowledge as, low, medium and high, Quartiles were calculated. In this way the mothers having low level of knowledge (Q1) those who scored up to 4, medium (Q2)  whereas, sample women who scored between 5-6 and high level of knowledge (Q3) scored as ≥ 7.The statements were so arranged that a positive answer was specified under score of 1, whereas, a  negative statement was granted a score of 0 . The scores of positive responses were summed up and the level of knowledge of women beneficiaries was ascertained, a statistically significant variation is observed in levels of nutritional knowledge as per educational qualification and income group among the respondents. It is also seen that respondents from block B.K.Pora and Nagam blocks are having high level of nutritional knowledge in comparison to block Budgam and Chadoora. Among the groups, MCB are having higher level of knowledge in comparison to NM and PW. No significant variation in the levels of nutritional knowledge is seen as per age. It is quite obvious from the study that education of mothers is directly related to knowledge. Educated mother are more knowledgeable than functionally literate mothers.


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