title: Nutrition training in graduate medical (residency) education: a survey of selected training programs.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Weinsier
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Boker
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Kushner
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mark
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: St Jeor
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Stallings
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winick
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heber
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D007396:Internship and Residency; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*