'What do doctors think they need to know about nutrition?’—a qualitative study of doctors with formal nutrition training
Abstract Background Doctors are on the frontline of patient care and in an ideal position to provide nutritional advice, yet can feel ill-equipped to do so. The aim of this study was to explore the nutrition knowledge, skills and practice required for nutrition-competent medical graduates, and their...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-08-01
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Series: | BMC Nutrition |
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-022-00577-w |
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author | G Caldow C Palermo AN Wilson |
author_facet | G Caldow C Palermo AN Wilson |
author_sort | G Caldow |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Background Doctors are on the frontline of patient care and in an ideal position to provide nutritional advice, yet can feel ill-equipped to do so. The aim of this study was to explore the nutrition knowledge, skills and practice required for nutrition-competent medical graduates, and their role in providing nutrition advice and care, from the perspective of doctors with formal nutrition training. Methodology We conducted an exploratory qualitative research study. A purposive sample of 12 medical doctors and students with formal nutrition training across Australia participated in in-depth semi structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically. Results There were four main themes identified: 1. Identifying the role of doctors in nutrition care; 2. Understanding the interrelatedness of the social determinants of health and nutrition status is key; 3. Optimising nutrition care through multidisciplinary collaboration; and 4. Providing evidence-based nutrition care. Conclusion This exploratory study suggests that doctors consider that nutrition competent medical graduates require skills in referring to dietitians, an understanding and application of the social determinants of health, and practise applying multidisciplinary and evidence-based nutrition care. |
first_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:26:23Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-4ca613b8cc274c17ad3a1460291f4912 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2055-0928 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:26:23Z |
publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
publisher | BMC |
record_format | Article |
series | BMC Nutrition |
spelling | doaj.art-4ca613b8cc274c17ad3a1460291f49122022-12-22T04:18:50ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282022-08-01811810.1186/s40795-022-00577-w'What do doctors think they need to know about nutrition?’—a qualitative study of doctors with formal nutrition trainingG Caldow0C Palermo1AN Wilson2Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of MelbourneMonash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education, Monash UniversityMaternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, International Development, Burnet InstituteAbstract Background Doctors are on the frontline of patient care and in an ideal position to provide nutritional advice, yet can feel ill-equipped to do so. The aim of this study was to explore the nutrition knowledge, skills and practice required for nutrition-competent medical graduates, and their role in providing nutrition advice and care, from the perspective of doctors with formal nutrition training. Methodology We conducted an exploratory qualitative research study. A purposive sample of 12 medical doctors and students with formal nutrition training across Australia participated in in-depth semi structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically. Results There were four main themes identified: 1. Identifying the role of doctors in nutrition care; 2. Understanding the interrelatedness of the social determinants of health and nutrition status is key; 3. Optimising nutrition care through multidisciplinary collaboration; and 4. Providing evidence-based nutrition care. Conclusion This exploratory study suggests that doctors consider that nutrition competent medical graduates require skills in referring to dietitians, an understanding and application of the social determinants of health, and practise applying multidisciplinary and evidence-based nutrition care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-022-00577-wQualitative studyNutrition educationMedical educationSocial determinants |
spellingShingle | G Caldow C Palermo AN Wilson 'What do doctors think they need to know about nutrition?’—a qualitative study of doctors with formal nutrition training BMC Nutrition Qualitative study Nutrition education Medical education Social determinants |
title | 'What do doctors think they need to know about nutrition?’—a qualitative study of doctors with formal nutrition training |
title_full | 'What do doctors think they need to know about nutrition?’—a qualitative study of doctors with formal nutrition training |
title_fullStr | 'What do doctors think they need to know about nutrition?’—a qualitative study of doctors with formal nutrition training |
title_full_unstemmed | 'What do doctors think they need to know about nutrition?’—a qualitative study of doctors with formal nutrition training |
title_short | 'What do doctors think they need to know about nutrition?’—a qualitative study of doctors with formal nutrition training |
title_sort | what do doctors think they need to know about nutrition a qualitative study of doctors with formal nutrition training |
topic | Qualitative study Nutrition education Medical education Social determinants |
url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-022-00577-w |
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