Medical students’ perceptions and confidence in their ability to apply nutrition principles in clinical practice

Abstract

Background: Due to the rising rates of malnutrition, which can adversely affect health, doctors must be competent in addressing nutrition concerns in practice. This study explored medical students' perceptions and confidence in applying nutrition principles in practice: nutrition assessment, patient counselling, and interventions. Methods: A small scale exploratory case study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with eight undergraduate medical students. An inductive thematic analysis was carried out. Documentary analysis was completed using policy and Medical School curriculum documents to review nutrition-related text in terms of the learning outcomes for nutrition education. Results: The findings highlight aspects which influenced students' nutrition practice for patient assessment and intervention: students' experience of nutrition both in education and practice, roles, importance of nutrition, concerns regarding application, barriers, and nutrition theme teaching. Documentary analysis results showed that the General Medical Council (GMC) and Dundee Medical School curriculum addressed higher level learning outcomes but students felt they were not achieving them. Conclusions: This study identifies factors which contribute to students' confidence in applying nutrition principles in practice with particular emphasis on nutrition curriculum and managing nutrition concerns in practice. It offers suggestion for curriculum review and development.

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

“…Based on survey data from a subset of students (29%),they consistently agreed that nutrition knowledge and competency in nutrition counseling are essential for physicians, and that nutrition counseling should be part of the routine care offered by all physicians. It has been reported that students' attitudes regarding nutrition education are influenced by clinically relevant teaching and reinforcing the importance of incorporating clinical nutrition early on in the medical school curriculum [16]. The interprofessional nature of the session with registered dieticians may have helped the students to understand their role in nutrition counseling as physicians and shown them how to effectively collaborate with registered dieticians in the future [16].…”

“…It has been reported that students' attitudes regarding nutrition education are influenced by clinically relevant teaching and reinforcing the importance of incorporating clinical nutrition early on in the medical school curriculum [16]. The interprofessional nature of the session with registered dieticians may have helped the students to understand their role in nutrition counseling as physicians and shown them how to effectively collaborate with registered dieticians in the future [16].…”

Case studies and realist review of nutrition education innovations within the UK medical undergraduate curricula

“…It has already been recognised both nationally and internationally that medical undergraduate teaching in nutrition is limited. [1][2][3] Despite the development of a more detailed nutrition curriculum in 2013 by the UK Intercollegiate Group on Nutrition (ICGN), 4 there has been little guidance on its implementation or information on its uptake and impact on nutrition in medical education. In 2016, all UK medical school faculty were invited to participate in a survey of current nutrition training, and one-third (11 of 32) of medical schools responded.…”