What do resident physicians know about nutrition? An evaluation of attitudes, self-perceived proficiency and knowledge.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the increased emphasis on obesity and diet-related diseases, nutrition education remains lacking in many internal medicine training programs. We evaluated the attitudes, self-perceived proficiency, and knowledge related to clinical nutrition among a cohort of internal medicine interns.


METHODS
Nutrition attitudes and self-perceived proficiency were measured using previously validated questionnaires. Knowledge was assessed with a multiple-choice quiz. Subjects were asked whether they had prior nutrition training.


RESULTS
Of the 114 participants, 61 (54%) completed the survey. Although 77% agreed that nutrition assessment should be included in routine primary care visits, and 94% agreed that it was their obligation to discuss nutrition with patients, only 14% felt physicians were adequately trained to provide nutrition counseling. There was no correlation among attitudes, self-perceived proficiency, or knowledge. Interns previously exposed to nutrition education reported more negative attitudes toward physician self-efficacy (p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Internal medicine interns' perceive nutrition counseling as a priority, but lack the confidence and knowledge to effectively provide adequate nutrition education.
Vetter
Marion L
ML
Division of General Internal Medicine, Section of Primary Care, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA. vetterm@uphs.upenn.edu
Herring
Sharon J
SJ
Sood
Minisha
M
Shah
Nirav R
NR
Kalet
Adina L
AL
D015331:Cohort Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education; D007396:Internship and Residency; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010820:Physicians; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires