Meshal Almadouj* and Murine Spooner
Background: Nutrition is essential for health and wellbeing. However, less than 50% of general doctors give nutritional advice to patients. These studies aims to measure medical students’ perceptions about the importance of nutrition, measure their confidence in giving nutritional advice to patients, and suggests proper teaching interventions. Methods: Students enrolled in the 2016 entry program in RCSI, Dublin (N 1200) completed a confidential 19 item online survey. Surveys were completed by 365 students (30%). The survey assessed student’s confidence in their ability to address diet with patients, diet habits, and perceptions about the importance of nutrition and nutrition’s teaching. Results: Most students (63%) are either “confident” or “extremely confident” in prescribing nutrition to patients. However, 25% reported eating more than 4 servings of fatty foods regularly. Up to 83% of students rated healthy eating as “very important” for patient’s health and wellbeing. Conclusion: The majority of students believe nutrition is hugely important for patients. Generally, they are confident in their ability to address diet with patients. However, a considerable number have negative health habits which must be addressed. We suggest integrating an innovative nutrition’s course to increase students’ confidence in relation to nutrition.
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