Development of a Practice-Based Assignment in Diabetes Care to Enhance Clinical Nutrition Coursework

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The objective of this work was to develop a practice-based clinical nutrition assignment to support competency-based academic nutrition programs that integrate didactic and experiential program components. The target audience was graduate nutrition students enrolled in a clinical nutrition course sequence. Methods As an alternative to a traditional “paper and pencil” case study assignment, students were assigned to conduct an in-person, out-of-class interview with a friend or family member diagnosed with diabetes, type 1 or type 2. In written assignment directions, students were provided with questions for a structured interview which followed the nutrition care process, i.e., nutrition assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring/evaluation, thus reinforcing clinical reasoning but affording open responses from interviewees. Results The assignment provided a “safe space” for students to develop clinical skills and generated n = 27 cases, i.e., one case per enrolled student, in contrast to a typical case study assignment in which students prepare the same case assignment. In addition, students shared details of their interviews in small groups in class which generated rich classroom discussions as myriad treatment modalities as well as barriers to accessing health care and challenges to making lifestyle changes surfaced in the discussions. Confidentiality was provided throughout by protecting names of interviewees. Students’ written papers reporting interview findings were evaluated using a 15-point (pt) rubric including introduction (1 pt); medical hx (2 pts); intervention (6 pts); monitoring/evaluation (2 pts); and conclusions (2 pts) plus quality of writing (2 pts). Conclusions This practice-based assignment in diabetes care provided a unique approach to enhancing clinical nutrition coursework and facilitated an interactive learning environment to support students’ professional growth. Funding Sources None.