@article{10.22454/PRiMER.2024.834650,
author = {Robinson, Kevin and Reilly, Jo M.},
title = {Assessing the Impact of Nutrition Training Among Medical Students},
journal = {PRiMER},
volume = {8},
year = {2024},
month = {4},
doi = {10.22454/PRiMER.2024.834650},
abstract = {Introduction: Nutrition education remains inadequate in American medical schools, and physicians often cite lack of nutrition knowledge as a barrier to counseling patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of additional nutrition curriculum on first-year medical students.
Methods: We created a 1-hour nutrition lecture, delivered to first-year medical students. Using pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up surveys, we assessed the following: (1) change in student knowledge; (2) confidence in counseling patients; (3) motivation to change their personal dietary behaviors; and (4) satisfaction with the curriculum. We assessed objectives using multiple choice questions and 10-point Likert scale questions.
Results: Of the 142 students who attended the live lecture, 105 (73.9%) completed both pre- and postsurveys, and 65 (45.8%) completed the 3-month follow-up survey. Students’ knowledge of the material increased from 37% to 82%, but retention dropped to 65% at the 3-month mark (P<.001). Comfort in assessing and counseling patients improved across the three survey iterations, from 3.53 to 5.90 to 8.00 (P<.001). Motivation to change personal behaviors was high overall at 8.04, 8.36 and 8.25 [P<.05]). Moreover, students were satisfied with the lecture, with a rating of 8.58/10.
Conclusions: This study supports the value of additional medical student nutrition education. This curriculum significantly increases student knowledge, comfort with the material, and confidence in counseling their future patients. A longitudinal curriculum that reinforces concepts over time will help improve long-term retention.},
URL = {https://journals.stfm.org//primer/2024/robinson-2023-0087/},
eprint = {https://journals.stfm.org//media/jm1n3mwo/primer-8-24.pdf},
}