Mo1073 Nutritional Knowledge of Gastroenterology Fellows in the United States

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine current nutritional knowledge and identify the perceived effectiveness of nutrition education among gastroenterology (GI) fellows. Methods: A survey was created to collect demographic data, perceived nutritional knowledge, and a 20 question multiple choice examination (MCE) testing components of nutrition specific to GI. Adult GI fellowship coordinators at the 162 U.S. accredited adult fellowship programs were sent an email asking them to forward an internet link to their 1 st through 3 rd year GI Fellows where fellows could anonymously complete the survey. Results: The survey was attempted by 137 fellows with 119 fellows fully completing it. The majority of fellows (86.6%) wanted more nutrition focused education. Fellows perceived themselves as having the least knowledge in micro/macronutrients and providing nutritional support to patients. Fellows perceived themselves as having the strongest knowledge in technical skills to manage nutritional issues. The mean total score for MCE was 39.45% (standard deviation (SD) = 15.56). Fellows had the highest mean score in the questions related to nutritional support (50.67%, SD = 21.55). The lowest mean score was on the subset of questions related to obesity (26.08%, SD = 13.01). Mean scores in other areas of nutrition included: nutrition assessment 46.45% (SD = 14.18), micro/macronutrients 34.07 % (SD = 18.92), and nutrition in GI diseases 43.35% (SD = 23.88). Discussion: GI fellows believe their knowledge of nutrition is suboptimal and objective evaluation of nutrition knowledge confirms this belief. Formal nutrition education should be developed in the context of GI fellowship education.