title: Promoting and evaluating competence in on-line dietetics education.
abstract: Professional organizations, such as the American Dietetic Association are challenged to assure competency of their practitioners. Competency includes higher-level skills such as critical-thinking, cooperative work, effective communication, and use of lifelong learning resources. Information literacy via computer technology is a key component of competency, which needs to be included in dietetic education and training. This dietetic internship examined use of online technology to develop competency using the key-feature exam. Seventy-five dietetic interns from three different programs were divided into those with (n = 44) and without (n = 31) online instruction, to which pre- and post- test key feature exams were administered. Those with online instruction had greater improvement (P < 0.05) on key-feature exams in nutrition support and pediatric nutrition. Competency is complex and difficult to assess, thus tools to better assess the comprehensive scope of practitioner competency are needed. The key-feature exam may be a tool to assess and verify practitioner competency in dietetics professionals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames 50011-1120, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Litchfield
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Oakland
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical / Q000379:methods*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D017145:Models, Educational; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D009862:Online Systems; D011361:Professional Competence; D011364:Professional Practice