A panel of experts identified 36 nutrition competencies for inclusion in undergraduate and graduate medical school and training in a new consensus statement in JAMA Network Open.
By Ian McMahan
An expert panel made up of 37 medical educators, nutrition scientists, practicing physicians, medical residency directors and registered dietitian nutritionists issued the statement.
The panel used a broad review of research to determine that medical students and physician trainees should receive training in 36 nutrition areas and prioritized 10 of those for inclusion in existing medical education. The top recommendation was training to provide “evidence-based, culturally sensitive nutrition and food recommendations to patients for the prevention and treatment of disease.”
A medical literature search the panel performed found little research on practical advice to patients about individual food choices. Because there is no current requirement for nutrition education competency, 97 percent of panelists recommended that medical students and physician trainees be evaluated through licensing examinations or board certification examinations.
The new recommendations are a response to a House resolution that urged medical training programs to increase nutrition education to “ensure competency in nutrition for physicians and other health professionals.”
Though the current study might serve as a template for other countries trying to address a similar problem in medical education, the researchers noted that their findings may have limited generalizability, given that the panel was U.S.-based.
This article is part of The Post’s “Big Number” series, which takes a brief look at the statistical aspect of health issues. Additional information and relevant research are available through the hyperlinks.
