Changes in Nutrition Focused Physical Exam Knowledge and Curriculum Integration of Dietetic Educators in Malaysia Who Have Completed an NFPE Hybrid Training Program

Abstract

ObjectivesThere is limited research on the integration of Nutrition Focused Physical Examination (NFPE) into dietetic educators’ curricula practices globally. The primary objectives of this study were to assess changes in dietetic educators’ NFPE knowledge and curricula practices over 12-months after completing a hybrid training program in NFPE. MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of data from the study A Two-phase International Approach to Teaching Nutrition Focused Physical Examination, a prospective cohort pilot study. Dietetic educators in Malaysia completed an NFPE hybrid training program consisting of in-person training and follow-up computer-assisted instruction over 12 months. Participants reported the extent to which they integrated 32 NFPE tasks into their curricula at 3 timepoints (baseline, 6- and 12-months post-training) and completed a 50-item multiple-choice knowledge test at 4 timepoints (baseline and immediately, 6- and 12-months post-training). Descriptive statistics were used for curricula data; one-way repeated measures ANOVA test was used to analyze the change in knowledge scores over time. ResultsData were analyzed from those who completed knowledge tests (n = 14) and NFPE curricula data collection forms (n = 13) at all timepoints. Mean knowledge scores out of 50 possible points) increased significantly from baseline to immediately post-training and 6- and 12-months post-training (P < 0.001 for all) from 34.1 ± 5.4 at baseline to 43.7 ± 3.1 immediately post-training, 43.5 ± 2.9 at 6-months post-training, and 43.1 ± 3.0 at 12-months post-training. Changes in knowledge test scores were maintained from immediately post-training to 6- and 12-months post-training. At baseline, all of the participants reported that they “teach student NFPE tasks,” for three of the 32 NFPE tasks (examination of orbital fat pads, gastrocnemius muscle, and clavicle). At 12-months post-training,100% of the participants reported teaching all 32 NFPE tasks. ConclusionsDietetic educators in Malaysia who participated in the study significantly increased their NFPE knowledge and the integration of NFPE tasks in their nutrition and dietetics curricula from baseline to 12-months post-training. An NFPE hybrid training program is feasible to train dietetic educators in Malaysia. Funding SourcesRutgers Global Grant