title: What do resident physicians know about nutrition? An evaluation of attitudes, self-perceived proficiency and knowledge.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Marion L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vetter
authors.forename: Sharon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Herring
authors.forename: Minisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: Nirav R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Adina L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kalet
mesh_terms: 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