Nutrition training in graduate medical (residency) education: a survey of selected training programs.
Because limited information exists about nutrition training of residents, we studied the teaching practices of nationally recognized nutrition programs. Two hundred thirty-eight nutrition educators and 787 residency-program directors identified 160 institutions with strong nutrition training. The 23 highest-ranked programs were surveyed and 7 were visited. The results showed that 1) clinically active physician-nutritionist role models are the key elements in teaching residents clinical nutrition; 2) multidisciplinary nutrition support teams are valuable learning resources unless they function primarily as technical support services; 3) nutrition elective rotations, although highly effective, are taken by a minority of residents; 4) the nutrition curriculum should include practical learning materials and conferences; and 5) a research environment is important to attract qualified physician-nutritionist role models. A major deficit is teaching nutritionally based approaches to disease prevention in the ambulatory setting. Finally, a shortage of nutrition-oriented physician role models is probably the major constraint in teaching nutrition to residents.
Weinsier
R L
RL
Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Boker
J R
JR
Brooks
C M
CM
Kushner
R F
RF
Olson
A K
AK
Mark
D A
DA
St Jeor
S T
ST
Stallings
V A
VA
Winick
M
M
Heber
D
D
D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D007396:Internship and Residency; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*