Nutrition education in United States medical schools

Offers recommendations to upgrade what were found to be largely inadequate nutrition programs in US medical schools in order that health professionals be better qualified to advise and treat their patients. This book also examines the question: has medical education kept pace with advances in nutrition science? This book examines the practice of nutrition instruction as part of medical education, reports on a study of its practice, describes nutrition education in the past, argues for greater attention to the topic and describes current practice. Chapter 1 (an executive summary) highlights the major findings and recommendations resulting from the study of nutrition education. chapter 2 discusses the forces that have shaped the role of nutrition in the medical curriculum during this century. Chapter 3 reviews knowledge implicating nutrition as one of the etiological factors contributing to many forms of chronic and degenerative disease. Chapter 4 contains summaries of previous conferences, congressional hearings, and surveys that have examined this subject as well as reviews of other relevant reports. An outline of core concepts and a basic body of nutrition knowledge that all graduating medical students should acquire during their medical training are presented in chapter 5. Chapter 6 summarizes the findings based on all the data analyzed and presents strategies for effectively incorporating nutrition into the medical school curriculum. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 include extensive references. Also included are an index and, in appendixes, survey forms, technical information on the study, testimony of the American Medical Student Association, and a report on the nutrition science content of National Board examinations. (JB) As the general public has become more aware of advances in nutrition, consumer demands for advice on matters of diet and disease have grown. This book offers recommendations to upgrade what were found to be largely inadequate nutrition programs in U.S. medical schools in order that health professionals be better qualified to advise and treat their patients. A comprehensive study of one-third of American 4-year undergraduate medical schools provided information on the current status of nutrition programs at each school. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations made from analysis of this gathered information. Questions examined in this volume include: Has medical education kept pace with advances in nutrition science? Are medical students equipped to convey sound nutritional advice to their patients? What strategies are needed to initiate and sustain adequate teaching of nutrition in medical schools? Abstract: An authoritative report to aid medical school administrators in ensuring the adequacy of nutrition education (NE) in medical school curricula presents the findings of a national survey by a special committee of the US National Research Council that concluded that medical school NE programs are largely inadequate to meet present and future demands of the medical profession. The survey assessed the extent to which NE is incorporated in medical education, the prevalence of medical schools teaching nutrition, and the success and failure of NE programs provided in different categories of medical schools. The major findings and recommendations of the committee are highlighted, and an outline of NE core concepts that all medical schools should acquire is included. Ancillary documentation and survey questionnaires are provided in 7 appendices 1 Front Matter 2 1. Executive Summary 3 2. Historical Perspective 4 3. Rationale for Including Nutrition Instruction in Medical Education 5 4. Current Programs 6 5. Curriculum Guideline for Incorporating Nutrition in Medical Education 7 6. Conclusions and Recommendations 8 Appendix A: U.S. Medical Schools Surveyed by the Committee and Their Characteristics 9 Appendix B: Survey of Medical School Deans and Associate Deans 10 Appendix C: Survey of Medical School Nutrition Course Coordinators 11 Appendix D: Personal Interview Survey of Nutrition Course Coordinators 12 Appendix E: Speakers at Various Committee Meetings 13 Appendix F: Testimony of the American Medical Student Association: Nutrition Education in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum 14 Appendix G: Nutrition Science Content of National Board Examinations 15 Index Committee On Nutrition In Medical Education, Food And Nutrition Board, Commission On Life Sciences, National Research Council. Includes Bibliographies And Index.